The DARE Instructor, Patrolmen Acklin, described the DARE program to the assembled parents and families and told his class how proud he was of them.
Mayor Summers came to the podium and told the group that 85% of crime in Lakewood was related to substance abuse. He told the students that it was everyone's job in Lakewood to look out for one another and take care of each other, and to not hesitate to call upon members of the community-- teachers, parents, himself, Council people, neighbors-- if they felt the need. He told the kids that they had been given the tools that they need to understand substance abuse, and to protect themselves and others.
Judge Carroll revealed that he had not missed a DARE graduation in over 20 years and said that he took great pleasure in handing out diplomas and getting to be with a bunch of proud families and students celebrating, rather than being in the courtroom, dealing with that 85 percent that the mayor mentioned. The Judge went on to say that if we could get rid of the substance abuse problem, he could go home on Tuesday afternoons, instead of being in court 7 days a week.
Then DARE essay winners Maya George, Emily Sullivan and Mallory Moorman read their essays, after which all the graduates received their diplomas and goody bags.
In the coming weeks each of our elementary schools will hold their DARE graduation programs. If you want to feel good about our city, our school system, our kids and our families, try to attend one of them.
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Mayor Summers applauds the DARE graduates as families look on.
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Judge Carroll takes his time handing out certificates and exchanging congratulations with DARE graduates, flanked by Chief Malley and Mayor Summers.
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Mr. McGuan proudly poses with his happy fifth grade graduates who were checking out their new glasses and purple frosted cupcakes.
Betsy Voinovich