Runnels Fifth Graders Graduate From D.A.R.E.
Presiding over the festivities was Lt. Randy Aguillard of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, who has been the D.A.R.E. instructor at Runnels for more than 15 years.
Highlighting the program was the announcement of the D.A.R.E. essay contest winners. They are fifth graders Mark Postlethwait, Regan Appleton, Kadi Runnels, and Micah Danos. All of the winners read their essays on stage and received a special pin and certificate from Lt. Aguillard. The overall essay winner, Micah Danos, also received the medal for winning first prize in the competition.
The purpose of the D.A.R.E. program is to help students recognize the consequences of drug use and give them some practice in developing techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illegal substances. The course also offers practical advice on how to identify and diffuse stressors, avoid violence, develop self-esteem, and identify positive role models.
