Noah Johnson Daily Press Escanaba Upper Elementary School Principal Craig LeClaire asks the 2024 DARE graduates to raise their hands if they enjoyed the program. Every student raised their hands.

ESCANABA — Over 70 fifth-grade students graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program recently at Escanaba Upper Elementary School, the first graduating class for the program in 15 years.

After an extended hiatus, Escanaba Public Safety Officer Dustin Stempki spearheaded the program and brought it back to Escanaba.

The program was completed over the course of 10 weeks, with each covering a different topic, including peer pressure, stress, drug information, bullying, confident communication, and more.

“It’s just a great program, and the kids really enjoyed it,” Stempki said.

The ceremony began with remarks from Escanaba Upper Elementary Principal Craig LeClaire, who said it was obvious the students enjoyed the program.

“They were excited to talk to me and their teachers and the class about it,” he said.

LeClaire added that the program is not like the one he and others grew up with; it’s evolved and become a really good program.

Stempki spoke to the kids, saying he was proud of them and hoped they would apply the lessons they’d learned to real-life situations.

“Graduates, you have worked hard and have shown great dedication to this program and have made your DARE officer and teachers very proud. You have learned important lessons about self-respect, responsibility, peer pressure, confident communication, and making hard decisions, just to name a few. These lessons will help you throughout your life especially when faced with tough choices,” Stempki told the graduates.

As part of the program, each student wrote an essay about DARE and what they learned during the 10 weeks. Stempki chose one student from each of the three classes to read their essay to the audience.

The three winners were Grant Puszczewics, Evelyn Young, and Chloe Young. Puszczewics believes DARE should be taught in every classroom across the country.

“I remember using the DARE Decision Making Model to solve situations. If someone asks me to do drugs or drink alcohol underage, I will use these strategies to help me say no,” he said.

Evelyn Young said she learned the consequences of smoking and alcohol, like cancer, bad breath, drunk driving, and more.

“I promise to always remember the things that Officer Stempki taught us and always think about the consequences of drugs,” Evelyn Young said.

Chloe Young said her favorite lessons were resistance strategies, communication styles and making safe and responsible choices.

“My opinion about DARE is that it’s an amazing program and I learned a lot from it,” Chloe Young said.

Each winner received a medal and a miniature Darren the DARE lion plush.

Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman spoke to the graduates, sharing a story about when she was in high school and resisted peer pressure. She also spoke about her career, saying she is given a first-row seat to see how alcohol and drugs affect others’ lives.

“I work with people every day who have made a choice that affected their lives. For every police report I have reviewed; they all start with the choice that someone made and that ultimately had a domino effect on the rest of their life,” Wickman said.

Finally, the graduates were given their diplomas before having cookies and refreshments with their parents and friends.

Stempki said he hopes the graduates gain confidence from the program and are able to resist violence and peer pressure.