St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program graduations

Posted: May 11th, 2018 | Filed under: News Releases

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann takes a moment to pose with a Joseph Davies Elementary School fifth-grade student following the school’s D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks to Joseph Davies Elementary School fifth-graders about the importance of not consuming drugs and alcohol during their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony held May 8 at the school.

Joseph Davies Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first-place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Sophia Ali, Trey Meyers, Marissa Sass and Kristion Thomas. Runners-up are, second row, from left: Barry Johnson III, Cassidy Nunez, Daliah Meyer and D’Niah Spriggins. With the essay winners are, third row, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor; Lt. Daniel Bostic; Capt. Ronnie Martin; St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann; Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor; and Davies Principal Donna Schultz.

Sgt. Darrin Miller and Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, hand out certificates to D.A.R.E. graduates from Joseph Davies Elementary School.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann claps to congratulate Lacoste Elementary School fifth-graders during their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony held May 10 at the school.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann congratulates Lacoste Elementary fifth-grader Kennedi Bolds on being named a D.A.R.E. essay contest winner.

Lacoste Elementary School fifth-grader Evan Gonzales sings the D.A.R.E. song with his classmates at the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 10 at the school.

Lacoste Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first-place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Trace Seube, Kevin Domino Jr., Hayden Blum and Kimberly Quintanilla. Runners-up are, second row, from left: Layla Maturin, Kennedi Bolds, Travis Borden and Marae Eisler. With the essay winners are, third row, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; Col. Robbie McNab; St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann; Lt. Daniel Bostic; St. Bernard School Board Member Diana Dysart; and Lacoste Principal Stacie Alfonso.

Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, congratulate D.A.R.E. graduates from Lacoste Elementary School.

Lacoste Elementary School fifth-grader Evan Gonzales sings the D.A.R.E. song with his classmates at the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 10 at the school.

Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, hands out souvenir water bottles to D.A.R.E. graduates at Lacoste Elementary School following a graduation ceremony held in their honor.

Lacoste Elementary School fifth-graders enjoy some pizza following their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation.

Lacoste Elementary fifth-graders enjoy some pizza and cake following their D.A.R.E graduation ceremony.

Lacoste Elementary fifth-grader Trace Seube admires his D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation certificate during the ceremony.

More than 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth-graders will graduate from the spring semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Joseph Davies Elementary School had 112 students graduate from the program in a ceremony held May 8 at the school, and Lacoste Elementary School had 104 students graduate May 10. Lynn Oaks School will hold its ceremony May 14, and a graduation is set for May 16 at Meraux Elementary.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, taught in St. Bernard Parish schools by program supervisor Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, is aimed at discouraging youngsters from using drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, or taking part in violence or the bullying of others.

During the graduation ceremonies, students hear from Sheriff Pohlmann about making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol. The Sheriff stresses the importance of listening to their parents and teachers, and choosing their friends wisely.

Sheriff Pohlmann speaks to parents about the importance of protecting our future by investing in our children. He reminds parents to take part in keeping their children on the right path and focused on doing the right thing, including talking often with them and looking for warning signs to help prevent drug use.

Sheriff Pohlmann also talks to the students about bullying and how important it is to not bully others, and to report any kind of bullying they witness to an adult or teacher.