Editor’s note: information supplied by the school district incorrectly spelled a student’s last name. The copy has been corrected. The district extends its apologies.
Fifth-grade students within the School District of Fort Atkinson graduated Tuesday, April 26, from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
In recognition of their achievement, a graduation ceremony was held in the Fort Atkinson High School auditorium, according to information released by the district.
Each year, the release continued, the Fort Atkinson Police Department, School District of Fort Atkinson and multiple area businesses sponsor the ten-week DARE program.
The DARE program was founded in the early 1980s. Its goal is to bring tools and education to students to help them make healthy choices in their lives, the release stated.
Entering his third year as the Fort Atkinson Police Department DARE Officer, Brian Enger teaches fifth-grade classrooms throughout the district one day per week.
Luther Elementary School Principal Dave Geiger in his opening remarks Tuesday noted the overwhelmingly positive response of the students to the program. He cited Enger as instrumental in bringing about that result.
Offering insight into the program, during the ceremony, Enger was quoted as saying in the release: “The DARE program is not only focused on harmful substances, such as drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, but also teaches students about ways to handle stress, friendships, and other healthy decision-making tactics.”
Enger said program goals were enforced in the classroom through such activities as informational presentations and role-playing games, all of which are designed to support safe and responsible decision-making.
“In addition to the weekly classes, some homework assignments were a part of the program. One assignment that stood out was the DARE Essay,” Enger told audiences on Tuesday, according to the release.
Essays focused on assignments learned in class.
Also on hand Tuesday was the Lake Mills Police Department K-9 team of officer “Truman,” a 4-year-old Belarusian Dutch shepherd, and his handler Officer TJ Adams.
During the graduation ceremony, Adams spoke about Truman’s training and capabilities, which include proficiencies in searching for narcotics, patrol and utility purposes, tracking a subject, and article searches, according to the release.
During a demonstration of Truman’s training, Adams placed four cardboard boxes on the front of the stage. Three boxes were empty and one box had training materials that represented a possible illegal substance.
Adams issued a one-word command instructing Truman to begin his search. Within moments, the release noted, Truman identified the correct box.
In a second demonstration, Purdy Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Kayla Telfer donned a protective “bite suit.”
After receiving a command, Truman lunged at the teacher and bit the suit.
According to the release, “students were audibly impressed with the dog’s strength and obedience.”
In addition, Tuesday’s ceremony featured guest speaker Pat Miller, head coach of the Men’s Basketball Team at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Miller’s speech, titled: “5 Things I Wish I Knew in 5th Grade,” contained life lessons about finding the courage to try new things, the release noted.
Miller spoke about failure, noting that, from his view, “failure is not only okay, but almost required,” the release stated.
Miller told those in attendance that the path to success requires “tactics,” including “hard work,” “kindness,” and “dedication to perseverance,” the release stated, adding that Miller said he had no “magic secret.”
In his speech, Miller cited the value of living in Fort Atkinson, which he described as a “positive and supportive community.”
He advised students to choose their friend with a motivation towards success, saying: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
Enger next introduced the district’s fifth-grade classroom teachers and each came to the stage and read aloud the names of their students who were graduating from the program.
According to the release, each student received a diploma and a handshake from Enger and their building principal.
Also recognized were student winners of the program’s essay contest. According to the release, some 200 essays were received. A panel of judges selected an outstanding essay from each of the district’s as well as several parochial elementary schools in Fort Atkinson. A final essay winner was chosen from among those selections.
Students selected as winners from within each school are as follows:
• Luther: Aubrey Keller
• Purdy: Maggie Fredrick
• Rockwell: Maggie Mather
• Barriez; Alex Luebke
• Crown of Life: Alexandra Moore
• St. Joseph: Grace Tess
• St. Paul: Samson Vik
Keller was chosen as the recipient of the final “Overall Essay” award. Her work was read aloud during the ceremony and touched upon such topics as peer pressure, stress and effective communication, the release stated.
Attending her last DARE graduation ceremony as the principal of Purdy Elementary School, Leigh Ann Scheuerell was quoted as saying in the release: “DARE is such a wonderful program for our community. I appreciate that our students get to learn from and spend time with our FAPD in such a positive way. I’m thankful to the community and all who sponsor this important program.”
Scheuerell will be assuming responsibilities associated with her new role as Fort Atkinson High School principal after the close of this school year.
Several businesses were named as sponsors in the release, including: Fort Transportation, Spacesaver, Police 1 Magazine, Jonas Office Products, Epic Real Estate Group, Fort Community Credit Union, Epic Property Management, Jones Dairy Farm, The Fireside, Day Insurance, Badger Basement, Krueger Jeweler, Kiwanis Club, Salamone’s, Ten Pin Motors, Abendroth Water Conditioning, Incipient Phase Comp Bbq, Crimson Salon And Spa, Badger Bank, Blodgett Garden Center, Culvers, McDonalds, Rock River Lanes, Opportunities, Inc., Frostie Freeze and the Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition.
For more information about DARE, contact the School District of Fort Atkinson Community Engagement team at info@fortschools.org.
Fort Atkinson Police Officer Brian Enger addresses students and families in the audience during Tuesday’s DARE graduation ceremony. Enger has been teaching the DARE program in the Fort Atkinson community for three years.
Luther Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Mandy Tamblyn reads an essay written by her student Aubrey Keller. The work was selected from among 200 submitted as contest entries, winning the “Overall Essay” award. Essays were written about subjects learned in DARE classes.
The Lake Mills Police Department K-9 team of officer “Truman,” a 4-year-old Belarusian Dutch shepherd, and his handler, Officer TJ Adams, greets students and offers several demonstrations showcasing the team’s skills and level of training.
Fifth-grade students and family members gather Tuesday in the Fort Atkinson High School auditorium, during which time a DARE graduation ceremony was held.
Students walk across the stage, receive a diploma and shake hands with building principals and Fort Atkinson DARE program police officer Brian Enger.
Students hold up their DARE diplomas.
School District of Fort Atkinson Elementary School principals, Leigh Ann Scheuerell, of Purdy Elementary School, from left; Justin Stewart, of Barrie Elementary School; Jennifer Walden, of Rockwell Elementary School, and Dave Geiger, of Luther Elementary School greet students as they enter the auditorium.
Contributed photos.
The full 2022 Fifth-Grade DARE graduation can be viewed by clicking the arrow above.
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