Israel Gagnon with Officer Roy Navarro and Officer Lewis Fuller

Randy PolstonWarsaw Community Schools proudly hosted the annual D.A.R.E. Graduation and Awards Ceremony last week, recognizing the outstanding efforts and achievements of our sixth graders. 

Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert shared, "Warsaw Community Schools is so grateful to our local DARE Officers (Roy Navarro and Lewis Fuller) along with the support of the Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and Winona Lake Police.  Their commitment to mentor our 6th graders through the D.A.R.E. program creates a life-long impact.  Our community wide D.A.R.E. Graduation is the culmination and support of students making positive choices."

The DARE Program continues to recognize outstanding student achievements through its various awards. The Sergeant Terry Polston Award and Sticker Awards are given to deserving students who have demonstrated good citizenship, classroom participation, and kindness. The Essay Award is a competition in the students’ homeroom classes and students write about what DARE means to them. 

Finally, the Drake Strong Award is given in memory of Drake Price.  Drake was an honorary police officer with the Warsaw Police Department.  Drake lived by the saying, "If you are not smiling while you're doing something, you are not doing it right."  This is given to one student in the district and this year’s award winner was Israel Gagnon. 

Award Recipients from Claypool:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Kaden Briedert, Noah Jones, Arya Balbuena-Kline, Kennedy Shilling, Teagan Bailey, Verlyssa Baldridge, Andrea Montillano, Caroline Gudorf, Qwincy Trumble, Kailea Smith

  • Essay Award: America Alonzo, Qwincy Trumble

  • DARE Student of the Year: Billie Wells

  • Sticker Award: Preston Ellis, Billie Wells

Award Recipients from Washington:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Maisy Metz, Landry Fitzgerald, Paige Yocum, Carson Haack, Haddi Hoeppner, Dakotah Coon, Hadley Campbell, Jackson Everitt, Harper Westerhof, Sydney Chandler

  • Essay Award: Quinn Suissi, Delaney McCammon, Dexter Beck

  • DARE Student of the Year: Lincoln Rak

  • Sticker Award: Quinn Suissi, Allison Shaub, Colin Meerzo

Award Recipients from Madison:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Gwendolyn Serena, Tenley Silveus, Chloe Heckaman, Benjamin Anglin, Jose Cervantes Servin, Devin Poort, Josias Terrazas, Lucille Hankins, Gemma Cox, Anna Jones

  • Essay Award: Paisley Jarrell, Evan Goshert, David Goble

  • DARE Student of the Year: Reegan DeManage

  • Sticker Award: Brielle Patterson, Addison Goon

Award Recipients from Jefferson:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Elijah Robertson, Eli Katris, Santana Hanshoe, Remi Fleming-Maze, Ben Carter, Liam Kitch, Ollie Petersen, Sophia Moore, Henry Schotter, Violet Wonderly

  • Essay Award: William Green, Serena Klingaman

  • DARE Student of the Year: Amelia Schotter

  • Sticker Award: Isadora Vega, Konrad Kolember

  • Drake Strong Award: Israel Gagnon

Award Recipients from Sacred Heart:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Eddie Sutton, Yamileth Gonzalez, Cecilia Zemen, Cristobal Conde, Nery Alvarado, Jensen Sands, Ximaryra Lopez, Lily Piper

  • Essay Award: Evelyn Piecuch

  • DARE Student of the Year: Hunter Popenfoose

  • Sticker Award: Laura McCullough

Award Recipients from Eisenhower:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Adalyn Meyer, Araya Zimmerman, Alayna Harrison, Addison Maier, Liam Hill, Jaylen Mitchell, Nora Stewart, Haedyn Chavez, Annalise Stenoish

  • Essay Award: Adalyn Meyer, Araya Zimmerman, Alayna Harrison

  • DARE Student of the Year: Annalise Stenoish

  • Sticker Award: Annalise Stenoish, Baylee Wieringa, Roosevelt Hoffert

Award Recipients from Lincoln:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Luke Zhao, Adelyn Rennhack, Soledad Smith, Lorelei Powers, Bryttin Wagoner, Haylee Fletcher, Kayaleia Futch, Harmony Boyd, Mason Santamaria, Logan Moore

  • Essay Award: Luke Zhao, Adelyn Rennhack, Soledad Smith, Lorelei Powers

  • DARE Student of the Year: Adelyn Rennhack

  • Sticker Award: Ember Shirley, Adelyn Rennhack, Haylee Fletcher, Margareta Loeb

Award Recipients from Harrison:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Adelyn Reed, Dhanishka Sudarsan, Aliya Williams, Logan Hamstra, Ella Hansen, Emmitt Neely, Elisee Vil, Annaliese Srogi, Chaitrali Chavan, Jai Moody

  • Essay Award: Adrenna Carlson, Benjamin Maile

  • DARE Student of the Year: Chaitrali Chavan

  • Sticker Award: Chaitrali Chavan, Benjamin Maile

Award Recipients from Leesburg:

  • Sergeant Terry Polston Award: Addysen Miller, Landon Deatsman, Yoselin Tello, Kristian Wilson, Caleb Rodriguez, Emma Selvey, Hudson Neher, Elora Chaney, Kaysia Hogendobler

  • Essay Award: Addysen Miller, Landon Deatsman, Yoselin Tello

  • DARE Student of the Year: Caleb Rodriguez

  • Sticker Award: Konner Burgin, Kaysia Hogendobler, Jack Slone

We are exceptionally proud of all our students who were recognized for their hard work and commitment. This ceremony not only celebrated their achievements but also reinforced the valuable lessons learned through the D.A.R.E. program.

####

Photo Provided by Jennifer Long: Israel Gagnon with Officer Roy Navarro and Officer Lewis Fuller

Photo Provided: Randy Polston Introduces the Sergeant Terry Polston Award

Photo Provided: Officer Roy Navarro and Officer Lewis Fuller Welcomes Students and Families

Roy Navarro and Lewis Fuller