Whatever has a positive effect on children, Harrison Elementary School Principal Randy Polston will support it 100 percent.
Polston said he believes Drug Abuse Resistance Education is one such program. For Polston's support of DARE, Polston recently was named the DARE Educator of the Year.
Polston was nominated for the award by Warsaw Police Department Cpl. Joe Hawn and Harrison sixth-grade teacher Dan Graney.
In his nomination of Polston, Hawn wrote, in part, "Randy has been associated with the DARE program in Warsaw since its inception and has been a strong advocate of the program, doing everything he can do to make the program stronger, more effective, and personable for the kids. Randy has taken a personal interest not only in the program, but the lessons, also helping bring the DARE lessons to life in his school.
"During my nine years at Harrison Elementary, Randy's support has never faltered but grew stronger every year. ... Randy has a love for the children at Harrison Elementary that is unsurpassed. He stands in the front hallway and greets the children with a high five or, if the child wants a hug, he is more than willing to show that child he cares by giving the hug back."
Part of Graney's nomination states, "Mr. Polston is a strong believer in the DARE program and supports the DARE mission that goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. Mr. Polston actively supports DARE at our school and the curriculum that teaches children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities."
Each year, Indiana presents an award for DARE officer of the year and an educator of the year. The awards are given based on nominations. DARE officers and teachers provide the nominations for educator of the year.
During the week of July 30, Polston said his brother, a DARE educator, told him to keep Aug. 3 open. Later, his brother told him he had to take a trip with him to Fishers on Aug. 3. Polston hadn't been told why up to that point, but then he found out he was to be presented the DARE Educator of the Year Award.
"The whole award is based on an educator's support of the DARE program," Polston said in an interview Tuesday afternoon.
After being presented the award by Hawn, Polston was asked to share a few words. The room was full of police officers, and Polston said he thanked them for their work with DARE. With teachers being thrown so much onto their plate already, schools have got to continue their support of the DARE program.
Polston also shared four reasons for his support of DARE: DARE puts kids in direct contact with police on a daily basis, helping kids to relate to officers as people. Officers are seen in a helping role in our schools and not just law enforcement. When officers are interacting with kids on a daily basis, it opens the lines of communication between law enforcement and children. Also, there is an old African proverb that states "it takes a village to raise a child." DARE is a part of this "village." The DARE program allows for open dialogue between schools, police and parents to deal with other issues and to support the children.
"To me," said Polston of the award, "it's a very special presentation because of the DARE program. This award is about the DARE program, not me. It's all for the children. If it's going to have a positive effect on the children, I'm behind it 100 percent. We've got to continue to make a difference in the lives of children and this is part of that."
