Ellsworth students graduate from DARE

• Tonjeos

Jared Tonjeos is pictured reading his DARE essay. His was selected the best from Ms. Sallander’s class.
• Baker

Bailey Baker received her DARE certificate of achievement from Pierce County Sheriff’s DARE officer Steve Albarado.
• Fifth grade

Fifth grade students converge onto Daren the Lion after the ceremony. -- Photos by Jason Schulte

Talk about it

Fifth grade students at the Ellsworth Middle School Wednesday achieved a significant achievement as they graduated from the Pierce County Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

“These students now have the skills they need to steer clear of drugs and make healthy choices,” DARE Officer Steve Albarado said.

Albarado gave an overview of the program, as students learned about tobacco, alcohol, methamphetamines and peer pressure, among others.

He also commended the middle school staff and parents for their support.

“The money you raised helped keep the program going,” Albarado told the parents.

Ellsworth High School DARE role models were also acknowledged, especially Amanda Freier, Jessy Tingelhoff and Ashley Zimmer, who graduated this year.

Students Katelyn Runyon, Erica Feuerhelm, Jared Tonjeos and Emma Swanson also read their DARE essays, as theirs were selected as the top in each respective class. Leadership awards were also presented to Emma Gutting, Adam Johnson, Solomon Whalen and Chloe State.

Albarado announced Tonjeos and Swanson will be reading their essays on KCUE’s Radio “Community Focus” show at 10 a.m. next Tuesday, when the Pierce County DARE program will be highlighted. Jada Panzer from St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Prescott will read hers as well.

Tags: lifestyle, school, education, ellsworth