Lummis fifth-graders graduate from D.A.R.E.

By Jeff O'Brien

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 | 1:42 p.m.

Sporting custom-made t-shirts and bright smiles, about 130 fifth-graders at William R. Lummis Elementary School celebrated their graduation from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., program on Dec. 11.

Each student received a graduation certificate as dozens of parents snapped pictures or captured the moment on video.

Eleven-year-old Garrett Mays said the D.A.R.E. program taught him about the dangers of drugs and different ways to say "no."

"It's important because if you take some of that stuff, you could go really crazy," Garrett said.

One of the proud mothers in attendance was Stephanie Niemann of Centennial Hills, whose 10-year-old daughter, Stormy, was one of the graduates.

Niemann said it was crucial to reach out to these fifth-graders and teach them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

"It's important to do it now, because when they get to middle school there is less parental supervision," Niemann said. "They start feeling more independent."

Officer Bart D'Angelo of Metro Police said the D.A.R.E. program, which began in Los Angeles and is now worldwide, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Metro has 17 D.A.R.E. officers, led by Sgt. Mark Sharp, who teach the program at schools throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

D'Angelo has worked closely with the fifth-graders at Lummis Elementary.

"We cover ways to avoid tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and peer pressure," D'Angelo said. "There are also supplemental lessons related to gangs, bullying and prescription drugs."

On average, each of the D.A.R.E. officers reaches out to about 1,000 students per year, D'Angelo said, totaling 17,000 students annually in Metro's jurisdiction.

Max Strauss, a fifth grader at Lummis, read an essay to the audience that he wrote as part of the program.

"If you are drinking alcohol, you should not drive a car because you can't think straight," Max said. "You will never succeed in school if you drink underage because it messes with your brain cells."

D'Angelo couldn't help but get a little choked up as he spoke before the audience.

"It's a tough world out there, so I always tell each of my students to just be a kid," he said. "Don't be in a hurry to grow up. It'll come."

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].