BARRINGER ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADUATES 73 FROM DARE PROGRAM

ILION - Barringer Road Elementary School held its DARE graduation
Friday morning.

The Drug Awareness Resistance Education program is taught by the
Ilion police department and is a six month program directed to sixth
grade students at both Barringer Road and Remington schools.

Seventy-three students from Barringer Road graduated from the
program, taught by DARE Officer Scott Swayze.

Barringer Road Principal Fran LaPaglia, says the DARE program is a
wonderful program and she's glad it's at the school.

"It helps them connect with the officer and become roll models in
the community," LaPaglia said.

Students walked up when their name were called to receive a
certificate indicating they had graduated the program.

LaPaglia addressed the students at the end of the program, "You'll
be facing enormous pressures in the years to come when you go to the
junior high school. Remember what you learned here - just say no."

Swayze added, "Stay true to what you know is right."

At the end of the program, Swayze also read off a letter that Ilion
Mayor Mark Cushman sent along since he was unable to attend the graduation.

"This is yet another great day in the village of Ilion," Cushman
wrote. "These are tomorrow's great leaders and the very backbone of
the community. This is a great community filled with wonderful people."

Ilion Police Chief Tim Parisi was also on hand to offer his
congratulations and hand out the certificates to students.

The Ilion Police Department has been teaching the DARE program since 1991.