From Chocowinity Middle School

Chocowinity Middle School held its Drug Abuse Resistance Education graduation on Wednesday, Jan. 16, to celebrate the completion of the program. CMS fifth graders took D.A.R.E. classes during the first semester taught by Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Walter Zerniak.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education is an international substance abuse prevention education program that seeks to prevent use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior. In honor of the accomplishment each fifth grader was given a t-shirt and presented with a certificate.

As a part of the class, students were asked to write an essay about what the D.A.R.E program had taught them and what it meant to them. One essay was chosen out of each homeroom class, and then the best overall essay was selected. The writing contest winners were Tate Tucker, Alanya Whitehurst, Taquan Guilford, and Alexis Alligood.

Whitehurst’s essay was picked best overall, and she was asked to read it to the group. Each winner was given a gift bag. Another recognition given during the ceremony was the Daren the Lion Award. Daren is the mascot of the D.A.R.E. program whose award is given to the student the instructors feel exhibits the characteristics of bravery and honesty. This honor was given to Cheyenne Sparks.