Harper Camperland teamed up with the Great Bend Police Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program to recognize and award six students for writing outstanding essays as a part of their D.A.R.E. classes. The winning writers were honored during the Great Bend City Council meeting Monday night.
As a part of the contest, students and their teachers were escorted in a motor home provided by Harper Camperland. They were treated to dinner at Applebee’s Restaurant before receiving recognition from the Mayor at the Great Bend City Council Meeting.
One requirement of the 12-week DARE curriculum is for each student to write an essay explaining what they have learned from DARE and why they have decided to make wise decisions concerning friendships, alcohol and drug use. Student’s essays that were chosen as the most outstanding essay from their respective schools that hosted the DARE Program this past semester were: Central Kansas Christian Academy student and her teacher, Chase Harter - Lisa Beckwith; Riley School students and their teachers: Luis Anchondo - Jessica Hacker, Jovani Devora - Jackie Peters, Roy Sanchez - Kelsey Scheuerman; and Park School students and their teachers, Caden Nokleby - Brock Funke, Payton Dykes- Shelby Sobba.
DARE also teaches students important lessons and encourages a healthy lifestyle that can bring personal achievement and benefit society as they grow up and become involved members and leaders in our community.
The Essay winners were treated to airplane rides sponsored by the Great Planes EAA Chapter 1134 in conjunction with the Young Eagle’s Program on May 12.