On January 25, 2023, seventeen Red River Academic Academy (RRAA) students earned graduation certificates for successfully completing the requirements of the DARE program. Red River Parish Sheriff’s Deputy/DARE Officer Irvin Raphiel Jr. officiated the ceremony.

DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is a program designed to teach students the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco as well as “how to say no” using DARE’s five resistance strategies. Topics covered include communication skills, peer pressure, stress, and bullying along with facts and health effects of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Students also learned the DARE Decision Making Model which is designed to help them make safe and responsible choices throughout their lives.

While all the students did a great job, each year one member of the fifth grade class is selected as a workbook winner while another is recognized for writing the best DARE essay. Congratulations to essay winner My’Kaylah Thomas and workbook winner Elizabeth Demary!

Several students participated in the program by welcoming parents and guests, leading the Pledge of Allegiance, reading the winning DARE essay, and performing inspirational readings. All the DARE graduates did a great job of entertaining those in attendance by singing the DARE song. Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Pickett announced the names of the graduates who, in turn, were greeted by Chief Deputy Moore, Lieutenant Murray, and Principal Daniels as Deputy Raphiel presented their certificates.

During the ceremony, Principal Daniels, Deputy Raphiel, and Lieutenant Murray (on behalf of Sheriff Edwards) spoke to the students about the importance of making wise decisions and the importance of using the information, skills, and tools they learned in DARE on a daily basis.

It was a great year and a great class! Deputy Raphiel would like to thank Mrs. Pickett as well as Principal Daniels for their support of DARE, the fifth grade students for their hard work, the parents for entrusting their children to us, and Sheriff Edwards for making the program available.

Sheriff Edwards, who was out of town and unable to attend the ceremony, would like to congratulate this year’s graduates! He would also like to thank the Red River Parish School Board, RRAA faculty/administration, and Deputy Raphiel for working together to ensure that the DARE program was once again a huge success.

Congratulations 2022-23 RRAA DARE graduating class! Job well done!

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