Entering the gymnasium in a sharp single-file line, DeKalb West students, donning black D.A.R.E. shirts, were honored for their participation in the 2022-23 D.A.R.E. program instructed by School Resource Officer Billy Tiner. A D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony was held at DeKalb West School on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 for 41 fifth-grade students who completed the 10-week program. Levi Reynolds was the top essay winner, and his essay will compete against the top winner from Northside Elementary.
Winning the best essay in Miss Caplinger’s class was Hailey Brown, while Sophia Caraway won best essay in Miss Desimone’s class. Each received a D.A.R.E. basketball, frisbee and pencil pouch filled with prizes. Top over-all essay winner, Levi Reynolds, received the same prizes, along with the coveted D.A.R.E. lion and an Amazon card presented by Juvenile/ General Sessions Judge Brandon Cox. Those in this year’s graduating class, receiving completion certificates, were Noah Bratcher, Hailey Brown, Christian Cripps, Lillian Dillard, Aiden Garza, Joseph Gebhart, Rebekah Gohs, Kayden Harbaugh, Bryce Harvey, Christopher Hebert, Landon Holmes, Brylee Key, Abram Maynard, Danny Prater, Charley Prichard, Emily Roberts, Braxton Taylor, Grady Thomason, James Upchurch, Preston Williams, Averie Winchester, Bentley Wright, Ashetan Ahlgard, Maks Austin, Sophia Caraway, Billy Clark, Hunter Clemons, Jackson Dunaway, Zane Griffith, Mason Hale, Hannah Harbaugh, Brayden Heflin, Abegayle Howard, Masen Mabe, Emma Marshall, William Marshall, William Marshall, Bentley Martin, Niccoli Moore, Lucan Nokes, Kayleigh Rameriez and Levin Reynolds. On-hand for the ceremony were Sheriff Patrick Ray, State Representative Mike Hale, Juvenile/General Session Judge Brandon Cox, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, DeKalb County Mayor Matt Adcock, Road Superintendent Danny Hale, County Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin, Register of Deeds Daniel Seber, representatives from DeKalb Prevention Coalition, SRO Joseph Caroll, member of the DeKalb County Sheriff Department Criminal Investigation Division, DeKalb County Coordinated School Health and DWS PTO members. Drug Abuse Resistance Education is taught to millions of children across the world, giving the students the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, violence and gangs. The 10-week program helps students with good decision-making skills, empowers them to respect others and choose to lead lives free of substance abuse, violence and other
