On January 31, 2024, sixty-three Red River Elementary School (RRES) students were presented graduation certificates for completing the requirements of the DARE program. Sgt. Michael Longino and Deputy Travious Johnson of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office led the ceremony.

DARE, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is 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 put forth great effort, every year one member of each fifth grade class is selected as a workbook winner while another is recognized for writing the best DARE essay. This year’s workbook winners were Bryson Brewer, Kiylan Bonner, and Cypress Jackson. DARE essay winners were Brailynn Smith, Madison Breedlove, and A’Riel Jones. Congratulations!

Sgt. Longino, as well as guest speakers Sheriff Glen Edwards and School Superintendent Alison Strong, expressed how proud they were of the students’ accomplishments and challenged them to use the principles taught in DARE as they move forward in life. They were encouraged to always be part of the solution, not the problem, and to remember that the school, law enforcement, and their families are there as resources to help them be safe and successful. Each of them also recognized the many guests in attendance and thanked them for their support of the DARE program as well as the students.

RRES Principal Mike Beck wrapped up the program by recognizing the efforts of the students, thanking the school staff and DARE officers for their investment in the children’s lives, and thanking the many friends and relatives who showed up to support the graduates.

Before the ceremony ended, Sgt. Longino was recognized for his twenty years of service as a DARE officer and twenty-five years in law enforcement. He thanked the school for the special recognition, expressed his love and appreciation for his job, and emphasized that the well-being and safety of the students is always his number one priority! Thank you Sgt. Longino for your service!

Sheriff Edwards thanked the Red River Parish School Board, RRES faculty/administration, Sgt. Longino, and Deputy Johnson for working together to ensure another successful year for our DARE students!

Sgt. Longino and Deputy Johnson thanked fifth grade teachers Brittany Borders, Candice Moore, and Meagan Inman as well as countless others for their support and help throughout the DARE year. They would expressed thanks to the fifth grade students for their hard work and to the parents for entrusting their children to us!

Great job RRES DARE Class of 2023-24! Congratulations…and remember to BE SAFE & RESPONSIBLE!