D.A.R.E. -TAKING CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES

Cochrane Times Post -- Aileen Wright English Catholic School held the
Grade 6 D.A.R.E. graduation on March 31 with 27 students taking the
steps to taking control over their lives.

D.A.R.E. which stands for Drug Abuse, Resistance Education is an
ongoing program offered to the grade six level by the DARE board of
the Ontario Provincial Police.

Constable Marc Klis, the instructor attends the schools once a week
for a period of ten weeks.

At the end of the ten week session, students are asked to write an
essay on why they will not smoke, take drugs or alcohol. Alex Begin,
Wesley Klis, Rachel Fleming and Kelsey Harps-Last were asked to read
their essays to the parents, friends and students in attendance of
the graduation.

At each D.A.R.E. graduation, the mascot, the D.A.R.E. lion attends to
help hand out the awards to the graduating class.

This year, guest speaker, Councillor Pat Dorff and regional D.A.R.E.
board member relayed to the graduating class the history of D.A.R.E.

"Thirty million benefit from D.A.R.E. which was founded in 1993 and
spans 54 countries around the world," said Dorff.

The program, which is aimed at helping students make the right
decisions also helps them to resist peer pressure.

Dorff concluded by saying, "congratulations to all the graduates and
enjoy the rest of your day."

Constable Marc Klis spoke, reviewing the D.A.R.E. program and
providing a slide presentation of the students during the lessons.
"These lessons helped you to stay in charge, how to say no through
role playing. It also helped to build friendships and to know what is
a good friend. Remember, you have control over your lives, you have
dreams, make them come true."

Each of the graduating class received a t-shirt, D.A.R.E. lion and
certificate and a well deserved handshake from Constable Klis and Pat Dorff.

Those receiving their awards were: Candice Aquino, Jesse Archibald,
Keenan Archibald, Alex Begin, Eloise Burke, Brandi Cheechoo, Brittany
Cheff, Jordan Doyle, Craig Gale, Andrew Girard, Victoria Groulx,
Nikki Guerard, Kelsey Harps-Last, Brandon Jansen, Todd Kirkbride,
Wesley Klis, Vanessa Lamarche, Brodie Lortie, Myles Lotsberg, Illyana
Peltier, Ryan Welch, Kyle Desbois, Keith Etherington, Rachel Fleming,
Brooke Hutchinson, Paul Jolicoeur, Austin Tverdal.