WATTS HONORED AS D.A.R.E. OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Former fifth grader and 2007 D.A.R.E. graduate in the Spearfish School
District, Maddie Drumm, said in an essay: "Officer Candi Watts is the
best D.A.R.E. officer ever. She really helps you make good decisions."

Others in the state expressed similar feelings recently by awarding
Watts the Ron Tennill D.A.R.E. Officer the Year Award.

Watts accepted the award at the annual D.A.R.E. officers training
conference in Pierre, which also marked the 20th anniversary for the
South Dakota D.A.R.E. Officers Association.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education is a program being used in schools
across the state and the nation teaching kids how to make good
choices. It focuses on use and abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco,
but students also learn about peer pressure and self-esteem and how to
make smart and healthy choices.

Watts has taught D.A.R.E. for three years in Spearfish, and also
serves as the district's school resource officer.

She is the first officer from Spearfish to earn the D.A.R.E. Officer
of the Year distinction.

The award, officially dubbed the Ron Tennill (D.A.R.E. Officer of the
Year)/SDDOA Educator of the Year Achievement Award, is given to one
West River officer and one East River officer each year. It initiated
in 1993 after the death of the late Deputy Tennill, who died after a
4-year battle with cancer.

Tennill served Redfield and Spink County as a law enforcement officer
for more than 42 years, dedicating much of his time to young people.

The award is given to D.A.R.E. officers who share Tennill's
determination and dedication to help youths.

Other comments from students Watts has instructed include: "Candi has
made a big difference in my thinking of D.A.R.E," and "She has shown
that she cares about us."

One former D.A.R.E. student said: "Candi Watts has changed many lives.
She has changed mine."

For Watts, it's those relationships with students that make it so
worthwhile.

"D.A.R.E. is a really positive spin on the job," she said. "And I
think the most important aspect is having an officer in the classroom.
It humanizes you."

She said she also believes it's a very good curriculum.

"It's great to see the trust that comes out of the kids, and their
overall excitement. I really value the friendship and trust factors."

She said just being in the schools opens doors for building
relationships with teachers and staff as well.

"I can be in my office with the door open, and they'll pop in with
thoughts about a particular student . maybe say something like, 'it
may be nothing at all, but I've noticed.' And it might be nothing at
all."

But sometimes there is something up with a student and Watts and the
staff are able to help because someone took the time to notice and to
care enough to speak up.

Watts was one of four D.A.R.E. officers in the Spearfish Schools last
year, and will be one of three this year.

Steve Hofmann and Katie Allart are the other two who will put their
specialized training to work in 2008-09.

The three just returned from the training conference, saying this
year's was exceptional and packed with new information.

Although it was the 20th year for the meeting of the D.A.R.E. Officers
Association, it was the first year the organization combined with the
Safe Schools organization.

"I hope it's the beginning of a training program officers and school
administrators can look forward to and all benefit from," Watts said.

This year there were about 50 D.A.R.E. officers, "And a handful of
school administrators," Watts said. "Our goal will be to get more
school administrators there next year. We definitely can learn a lot
from each other."

Hofmann said it would be very nice to get more administrators involved
in the training, but said it's difficult since they're not paid or
approved for travel and conferences during the summer. D.A.R.E.
officers, on the other hand, are required to attend training at least
every other year.

Since much of the training involves school law - and what school
resource officers, principals and others should or should not do - it
is information that could benefit both entities, the Spearfish
officers said.

At the conference, Watts and Hofmann took part in specialized rapid
deployment training, while Allart went to a variety of other breakout
sessions.

All three learned about updated information and supplemental lessons
for teaching D.A.R.E. - with emphasis on new concerns with Internet
safety and over-the-counter items that can be misused, for instance.

The rapid deployment training involved a 12-person team instructed in
how to quickly respond to a school emergency.

"When Columbine happened, there were officers on scene within three
minutes, but the policies then included waiting for the S.W.A.T. team,
so it was 45 minutes before they went in," Hofmann said.

"Now you get whoever you've got and you go in," he
said.

"As many as possible go in as soon as possible," Watts said,
clarifying that there should be at least two people.

The group played out various scenarios at one of the schools in
Pierre, and Watts said it was very realistic.

It was training they hope they'll never need to use, but training that
definitely taught them to work together and to be aware of all of
their surroundings.

The conference gives officers from across the state a chance to
network, compare notes and discuss what has worked - or not - in their
particular situations.

"There's a lot of good information and new drug stuff," Hofmann said.
"And things we never thought would be misused . like the Internet, and
over-the-counter items."

The officers hope to put something together to share information with
parents and the community. And they are working on ideas of how to be
proactive and share precautionary ideas with such groups as
pharmacies, stores and Realtors.