The annual D.A.R.E. graduation was held Wednesday at the Sidney high school auditorium. This celebration is an annual tradition with Sidney Elementary fifth graders.  

 

The program, which has run for more than 30 years at the district, has been headed up by Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack for more than 20 years.

 

The 13-week course is held through the first part of the year, with the graduation ceremony being the culminating event. During the ceremony, all kids are recognized and each class performs a skit showcasing the merits of D.A.R.E. Also, one student from each class comes on stage to read their essay about D.A.R.E. 

 

Founded in 1983, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a program designed to give kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence, according to the organization’s website. The program, which is in 75 percent of classrooms in the United States and in more than 43 countries around the world, is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons teaching kids how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. 

 

For a gallery of photos from Wednesday’s celebration, please see below.