Warsaw School Board Celebrates 35 Years Of DARE Programming
May 10, 2023 at 4:26 p.m.
Warsaw School Board Celebrates 35 Years Of DARE Programming
By Staff Report-
They also celebrated the start of the 35th anniversary of DARE in Warsaw, as this year concludes the 34th year.
The program has had many great officers, including Officers Lewis Fuller and Roy Navarro, who continue to dedicate their time and passion to the students of Warsaw Community Schools, according to a news release from WCS. The late Sgt. Terry Polston, also known as OP, is recognized as the program's most renowned officer whose commitment has solidified the program's foundation.
The DARE program continues to recognize student achievements through its various awards. The Sergeant Terry Polston Award and Sticker Awards are given to students who have demonstrated good citizenship, classroom participation and kindness. The Essay Award is a competition in the students’ homeroom classes and students write about what DARE means to them. Students are recognized during the two graduation nights, which were held April 25 and Tuesday.
The DRAKE Strong Award is given in memory of Drake Price. Price was an honorary police officer with the Warsaw Police Department. Drake lived by the saying, "If you are not smiling while you're doing something, you are not doing it right." This is given to two students in the district. This year’s award winners were Wyatt Lotz, Eisenhower Elementary sixth-grader, and Alanna Stern, Harrison Elementary sixth-grader.
The DARE Student of the Year Award is the highest honor, given to those who have gone above and beyond in their participation and citizenship, stated the release. This year’s winners were Brielle Dirck (Claypool), Rebecca Paton (Washington), Laila JoAnn Ballinger (Madison), Kendall Schuman (Eisenhower), Kinley Briscoe (Jefferson), Rushabh Gorhe (Lincoln), Kaitlyn Srogi (Harrison) and Leah Stafford (Leesburg).
During the DARE graduation ceremonies, keynote addresses were given by two Warsaw Community High School head coaches, Matt Moore and Bart Curtis. They highlighted the significance of devising a game plan for achieving success, which includes envisioning the end goal, recognizing possible hurdles, and being flexible enough to make adjustments. Additionally, they stressed the value of making good decisions that lead to self-confidence, self-worth and happiness, such as surrounding oneself with positivity and being punctual.
Fuller serves Lakeview, Leesburg, Harrison, Jefferson and Lincoln, while Navarro is the DARE coordinator for the Warsaw Police Department and serves Sacred Heart, Claypool, Madison, Washington and Eisenhower. Becoming a DARE officer requires training, with a two-week course at the Indiana DARE Officer Training Center, where proficiency in both elementary and middle school curriculums is required. Navarro is a DARE mentor, with the ability to train new DARE officers.
Dr. David Hoffert, superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, said, "The program inspires and educates students to make wise life choices. Our peer students and SROs (school resource officer) are wonderful role models. We are grateful for their positive relationships and dedication to our schools."
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They also celebrated the start of the 35th anniversary of DARE in Warsaw, as this year concludes the 34th year.
The program has had many great officers, including Officers Lewis Fuller and Roy Navarro, who continue to dedicate their time and passion to the students of Warsaw Community Schools, according to a news release from WCS. The late Sgt. Terry Polston, also known as OP, is recognized as the program's most renowned officer whose commitment has solidified the program's foundation.
The DARE program continues to recognize student achievements through its various awards. The Sergeant Terry Polston Award and Sticker Awards are given to students who have demonstrated good citizenship, classroom participation and kindness. The Essay Award is a competition in the students’ homeroom classes and students write about what DARE means to them. Students are recognized during the two graduation nights, which were held April 25 and Tuesday.
The DRAKE Strong Award is given in memory of Drake Price. Price was an honorary police officer with the Warsaw Police Department. Drake lived by the saying, "If you are not smiling while you're doing something, you are not doing it right." This is given to two students in the district. This year’s award winners were Wyatt Lotz, Eisenhower Elementary sixth-grader, and Alanna Stern, Harrison Elementary sixth-grader.
The DARE Student of the Year Award is the highest honor, given to those who have gone above and beyond in their participation and citizenship, stated the release. This year’s winners were Brielle Dirck (Claypool), Rebecca Paton (Washington), Laila JoAnn Ballinger (Madison), Kendall Schuman (Eisenhower), Kinley Briscoe (Jefferson), Rushabh Gorhe (Lincoln), Kaitlyn Srogi (Harrison) and Leah Stafford (Leesburg).
During the DARE graduation ceremonies, keynote addresses were given by two Warsaw Community High School head coaches, Matt Moore and Bart Curtis. They highlighted the significance of devising a game plan for achieving success, which includes envisioning the end goal, recognizing possible hurdles, and being flexible enough to make adjustments. Additionally, they stressed the value of making good decisions that lead to self-confidence, self-worth and happiness, such as surrounding oneself with positivity and being punctual.
Fuller serves Lakeview, Leesburg, Harrison, Jefferson and Lincoln, while Navarro is the DARE coordinator for the Warsaw Police Department and serves Sacred Heart, Claypool, Madison, Washington and Eisenhower. Becoming a DARE officer requires training, with a two-week course at the Indiana DARE Officer Training Center, where proficiency in both elementary and middle school curriculums is required. Navarro is a DARE mentor, with the ability to train new DARE officers.
Dr. David Hoffert, superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, said, "The program inspires and educates students to make wise life choices. Our peer students and SROs (school resource officer) are wonderful role models. We are grateful for their positive relationships and dedication to our schools."
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