In Pell City, 330 Williams Intermediate School students were recognized as D.A.R.E graduates last week. These students spent 11 weeks with Pell City Police officers, working through curriculum focused on educating students on becoming better citizens.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Todd Jones, a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Jones spoke to the audience about the importance of making good choices, and how just one wrong choice could cost students their future.

The D.A.R.E. program is an 11-week curriculum led by Officer Justin Cooper. Cooper worked with the students and faculty to help make the program a success.

“Without the [Pell City Board of Education], the D.A.R.E. board, schoolteachers, and especially our principal here, we would not be able to do this program,” Cooper said.

Officer Cooper stressed that the purpose of the program has expanded from its original message of resisting drugs and violence. It now covers alcohol, tobacco, bullying and other relevant topics. The main goal of the program is to instill the students with the knowledge that with every action comes a consequence.

Cooper said that the students graduating are able to make wise decisions on their own because they know what’s right. He was a D.A.R.E. graduate himself and believes that the lessons learned throughout the program will stay with the students for the rest of their lives.

PCPD School Resource Officer Jesse Burgos spoke to the crowd of graduates, faculty, and parents in attendance. He expressed the importance of programs like these and how they help students build a positive future.

“I’m so proud of you,” Burgos said. “The school is proud of you, and your parents are proud of you.”

Chief of Police Greg Turley also spoke, reminding students that the biggest lesson they can take away from the program is that they always have a choice to do the right thing.

DA.R.E. is an international initiative that leads millions of students each year through a program intended to benefit their lives. With a focus on teaching kids how to make safe and healthy choices, the program is a popular method to help law enforcement officers connect with students and teach them lifelong lessons.

D.A.R.E. graduates of Lacey Anderson’s fifth grade class hold their certificates of completion after the graduation ceremony. These students completed the 11-week course, working with PCPD officers through the program focused on educating students on making good decisions that benefit their future.