Escanaba Upper Elementary Principal Craig LeClaire talks to a group of 5th-graders who were graduating from the DARE program on Friday. (Escanaba Daily Press photo)

ESCANABA — 75 fifth-grade students graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program on Friday at the Escanaba Upper Elementary School, the second graduating class for the program this school year.

Another 75 student graduated in December, the first graduating class in Escanaba 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 10 weeks, with each covering a different topic, including peer pressure, stress, drug information, bullying, confident communication, and more.

The ceremony began with remarks from Escanaba Upper Elementary Principal Craig LeClaire, who said the program was very important.

Stempki spoke to the graduates, telling them they made him and their teachers very proud.

“You have learned that real strength comes from within, and making the right choices takes courage. As you move forward, remember what you have learned and the promises you have made to yourself and your DARE officer. You have the power to create a bright future,” Stempki said.

The graduates also heard from Escanaba Public Safety Captain Darren Smith, who reminded the graduates of the harm that drugs can cause.

“A lot of people who made bad decisions and may try drugs, they don’t even know what’s in that drug anymore. So, that’s a big cautionary thing. That is a very tiny amount, or the first time you try something could be the last time; people do die from that. That’s the reality of it. It’s scary, so please think about those good decisions,” Smith said.

Stempki introduced the three teachers whose classes he taught for the semester, Mark Chouinard, Mariah LaFave, and Jacob Pascoe, thanking them for allowing him to come into their classrooms every week.

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 class to read their essay to the audience.

The three winners were Levi Pascoe, Cameron Schmidt and Ayden Kleen. Each winner received a miniature Darren the Lion plush and a $50 gift card donated by Walmart.

Pascoe said that if he knows of a place where drugs are used, he will stay away from the area. He added the skills he learned in the program will help him throughout his life.

“I think I plan to use these skills in the future. One way this is true is I can use the resistance strategies to not get pressured into using drugs,” Pascoe said.

Schmidt said she learned about the dangerous side effects of drugs and alcohol, and how to stay safe from them.

“We learned how to resist drugs and stay safe and confident during DARE. This program really helped us. It built up with each lesson and taught us more and more about DARE each week. We’re very thankful for DARE and Officer Stempki,” Schmidt said.

Kleen said the DARE program was more than he thought it would be, as it not only taught him about the dangers of drugs and alcohol but also how to prevent bullying.

“By saying no, I can live a happy life. I will never do drugs; they kill millions around the world. By saying no to drugs, I can reach all my goals in life,” Kleen said.

Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman told the graduates to remember their choices come with consequences.

She said many of the people she speaks to who tried drugs, never thought they would become addicted.

“These decisions were made by people who likely did not have the skills and experiences that you now have as DARE graduates to help them make those good decisions,” Wickman said.

She added that the graduates have family and friends to support them.

“They want to see you grow, succeed, and achieve your dreams. They don’t want to see you in the courtroom with someone like myself telling a judge about the bad choices that you made. It’s important to remember the lessons from the DARE program and the skills that you’ve gained throughout the program and use them in all areas of your life,” she said.

Each graduate received a diploma before heading to the cafeteria for cookies and refreshments.

Stempki concluded the program by reminding the graduates to remember the DARE pledge.

“Strong people stand up for themselves, but the strongest people stand up for others,” he said.