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

Posted: May 17th, 2018 | Filed under: News Releases

Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders who were named D.A.R.E. essay winners are seated, from left: Gabriella Correa-Cruz, Paige Hoover, Patrick Petkovich and Ava Robin, second place winners; Kailen Robinson-Jones, first place; and Justin Tanner and Michelle Williams, second place. With the essay winners are, standing, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; Lynn Oaks Principal Kim Duplantier; and Lynn Oaks teacher Chris Wilder Jr.

Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, left, and Lynn Oaks Principal Kim Duplantier, center, welcome Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders into their D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony May 14 at the school.

Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, far right, speaks to Lynn Oaks fifth-graders and their parents during the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 14 at the school.

Meraux Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first-place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Brooklynn Petitfils, Juanye’ Mackle, Andrea Euceda and Derek Pacheco. Second place winners are, second row, from left: Hillaree Fulgham, Diego Morales, Victoria Mathieu and Mya Sincere. With the essay winners are, third row, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann; Lt. Daniel Bostic; Col. Robbie McNab; Lt. Robert Broadhead; Mistress of Ceremonies student Kamryn Alexander; Meraux Elementary Principal Natalie Albers; and Meraux Assistant Principal Michelle O’Neill.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks to Meraux 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 14 at the school.

Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, helps Meraux Elementary School fifth-grader Derek Pacheco while he reads his D.A.R.E. essay during graduation. Also pictured is Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, right

Sgt. Darrin Miller, anti-drug program supervisor, hands out D.A.R.E. water bottles during at graduation ceremony held for Meraux Elementary School fifth-graders who completed the program.

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

Nearly 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth-graders graduated from the spring semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Seven students graduated from Lynn Oaks School’s program on May 14, and a graduation was held May 16 at Meraux Elementary for 69 students. 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.

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 heard from Sheriff Pohlmann about making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol. The Sheriff stressed the importance of listening to their parents and teachers, and choosing their friends wisely.

Sheriff Pohlmann spoke to parents about the importance of protecting our future by investing in our children. He reminded 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 talked 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.