St. John's students D.A.R.E. to stay away

Twenty-six St. John's Catholic School sixth-graders recently graduated from the internationally-recognized D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program.

Making a personal commitment to resist drugs and violence, the students spent 14 weeks learning about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and violence, but also lessons regarding self-esteem, stress, advertising and gangs.

Established in 1983, today more than 44 countries and 40,000 D.A.R.E. officers champion this prevention program.

D.A.R.E. requirements include attending weekly meetings, wearing the official D.A.R.E. T-shirt, completing workbooks, crafting an essay and reading it to the class.

Napa Officer Ronald Hess leads the Napa program. "As a D.A.R.E. officer, I am honored to teach D.A.R.E. to neat kids at terrific schools," said Hess.

Introducing each graduate at the ceremony, he congratulated them on completing the program. Selected students read their essays at the graduation ceremony.

"D.A.R.E. is one of the most enthusiastic teaching programs I know," read student Stephanie Perera. "What's my reason to stay away from drugs, alcohol, gangs and peer pressure? 'No way, I'm not trying this gunk.' If you ask me why I'll say because ... of ... D.A.R.E."

Ross Walker wrote, "People try cigarettes because they think it is cool, but before long they're caught in a web of nicotine.

"When I am older I will think carefully about drinking. I want to be drug and violence free and D.A.R.E. taught me how," he read.

"The D.A.R.E. program teaches kids like me why you should not use drugs," read Joey Moussa. "This educational and fun program is helpful because it can teach us how to deal with temptations from our so-called friends," he said. "The D.A.R.E. program helps us tell if someone is a real friend or not."

"I have learned a lot from Officer Hess," said Ashley Ford. "I have confidence to say no to drugs. If someone comes up to me and asks me if I want some drugs, I know that I will say no."

"The knowledge and skills I have learned in D.A.R.E. will help me make healthy choices," read Michelle Medina.

"For example, I have learned that marijuana has more tar than tobacco and that people who use marijuana develop colds and upper respiratory problems," she said.

The St. John's Catholic School sixth grade D.A.R.E. graduates are: Sarah Brown, Vanessa Espinoza, Vianett Espinoza, Marilyn Espiritu, Bridget Flynn, Ashley Ford, Alfonso Garibay, Hope Grace, Annabelle Huffman, Adam Jensen, Sierra Johnson, Megan Laird, Heather Lopez, Michelle Medina, Stuart Miller, Joey Moussa, Jessica Murphy, Gianni Nola, Ellen Oberting, Lacey Orona, Stephanie Perera, Jessica Pickett, Kurtis Sylvester, Ross Walker, Alexandria Williams, and Nicole Zeller.