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By Megan Greco
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
SHORT GAP - Nicole Nelson was named the Outstanding Student at Frankfort Middle School's fifth grade D.A.R.E. graduation on May 10.
Nelson said that “D.A.R.E. has taught me to make good and healthy choices by not drinking, smoking, taking other people's pills, and taking drugs.” She “believes that D.A.R.E. is especially good for kids so they know how it can affect you and the results of it before you start.”
Sheriff Craig Fraley spoke to the students and the audience about the origins of the D.A.R.E. program and the significance to the lives of students. The D.A.R.E. program originated in Los Angels, Calif., in 1983. According to Fraley, students throughout the city were making
bad decisions. “Some, from drug use, were even dying in their classrooms.”
D.A.R.E. made its way to West Virginia in 1989 and was originally funded by federal grants, but those dollars dried up. The program was stretched for money and turned to the state and donations for funding. Eventually the Mineral County Board of Education assessed the program and voted to fund it.
Three other students were honored with certificates and medals for their essays on what D.A.R.E. has taught them: Caden James received first place, Kathleen Wirth received second place, and Sarena Whitacre received third place.
In his essay, James said “I, Caden James, pledge to make wise choices. I also pledge not to use drugs and tobacco, and not to use alcohol incorrectly. I will stay true to the teachings of the D.A.R.E. program. I promise to think wisely!”
By Megan Greco
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
SHORT GAP - Nicole Nelson was named the Outstanding Student at Frankfort Middle School's fifth grade D.A.R.E. graduation on May 10.
Nelson said that “D.A.R.E. has taught me to make good and healthy choices by not drinking, smoking, taking other people's pills, and taking drugs.” She “believes that D.A.R.E. is especially good for kids so they know how it can affect you and the results of it before you start.”
Sheriff Craig Fraley spoke to the students and the audience about the origins of the D.A.R.E. program and the significance to the lives of students. The D.A.R.E. program originated in Los Angels, Calif., in 1983. According to Fraley, students throughout the city were making
bad decisions. “Some, from drug use, were even dying in their classrooms.”
D.A.R.E. made its way to West Virginia in 1989 and was originally funded by federal grants, but those dollars dried up. The program was stretched for money and turned to the state and donations for funding. Eventually the Mineral County Board of Education assessed the program and voted to fund it.
Three other students were honored with certificates and medals for their essays on what D.A.R.E. has taught them: Caden James received first place, Kathleen Wirth received second place, and Sarena Whitacre received third place.
In his essay, James said “I, Caden James, pledge to make wise choices. I also pledge not to use drugs and tobacco, and not to use alcohol incorrectly. I will stay true to the teachings of the D.A.R.E. program. I promise to think wisely!”
