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LAPLACE—Sgt. Danielle Falgoust and Captain Marshall Carmouche were excited to award certificates to several fifth graders who successfully completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program this month.

Sgt. Falgoust was the DARE instructor at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet and West St. John Elementary. Captain Carmouche taught DARE at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School.

They instructed the fifth graders in DARE, a school-based drug awareness and prevention program that has evolved to not only teach students about drug awareness and prevention but also instructs them in decision-making for safe and healthy living. The lessons, offered locally to fifth graders in elementary schools, address drugs, violence, bullying, internet safety and other high risk circumstances students may face in their lives.

Sgt. Falgoust and Captain Carmouche also presented DARE T-shirts to the students.

Lake Pontchartrain winners were Amaje Patterson and Anabel Manzamares, DARE essay; and E’Lahja Kent, K’Shaira Brown, Jalina Tate and Kynnedi Gibson, Star Challenge.

Garyville/Mt. Airy winners were Aeiress Lee and Skye Lockhart, DARE essay; and Bhraiden McGee, Kalon Gardner and Makayli Rixner, Star Challenge.

West St. John Elementary winners were Kadyn Smith, essay; and Khailin Williams, A’Myre Green and Da’Nyrie Harris, Star Challenge; and Zion Pierre, Star Student.

At St. Joan of Arc, Lily Brady was the DARE essay winner.