60 Blackville students graduate from D.A.R.E

Macedonia Elementary-Middle School celebrated its first class of D.A.R.E. grads since the pandemic.

Sixty fifth and sixth grade students received their certificates on Feb. 10 as loved ones watched from both the bleachers of the gym and virtually. The ceremony marked the end of a 10-week program where students learned about making the right choices when it comes to drugs, alcohol, and other negative influences.

“The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is meant to teach your students life skills, and not only how to stay away from drugs and violent behavior, but any behavior or activity they don’t want to be part of. D.A.R.E. teaches you to make safe and responsible decisions,” said sheriff’s deputy Brandon Montgomery, the school resource officer who taught the D.A.R.E. program.

Some of those other negative behaviors and activities include bullying. D.A.R.E. also teaches the difference between tattling and telling on people who are doing the wrong thing.

The guest speaker was Barnwell County Sheriff Steve Griffith, a Williston native who has been in law enforcement since 1978. He became the county’s 39th sheriff in 2021.

“Sheriff Griffith is very, very supportive of the D.A.R.E. program. He believes in the future of our children,” said Sgt. Donald Danner, school resource ­officer at Blackville-Hilda High School.

“We all need to do good instead of bad,” said Griffith.

He said D.A.R.E. teaches young people some ways to avoid getting caught in bad situations. This includes avoiding places or groups where bad things are happening.

“Be confident. Stand up and say no,” he said.

He knows it’s stressful to get out of a bad situation sometimes, “but after 45 years in law enforcement I’ve found it’s a lot more stressful if I don’t do anything,” said Griffith.

It’s also important to have a “help network” to turn to and be able to tell things without fear. This could be a teacher, parent, pastor, principal or any other “trusted adult,” said the sheriff.

He also encouraged the ­graduates to see law enforcement officials as trusted adults.

“I’m a new sheriff but I’m an old law man. One of the reasons I stay around is because I want our children to trust law enforcement like I could when I was young. Don’t be scared to talk to law enforce­ment. If you ever need me, call me,” he said.

MEMS Principal Eryl Smalls thanked the sheriff for his “words of inspiration and all your ­support.”

Speaking to the students, Smalls said, “Always remember the effects of drugs on your life, your health, and your body.”

Montgomery thanked Russell’s Pizza for providing the D.A.R.E. workbooks for fifth through seventh graders (seventh grade was not part of the ceremony). He also thanked Sheriff Griffith for providing the T-shirts to all graduates.

Smalls and Montgomery thanked the teachers and the families of the graduates for their support.

2023 D.A.R.E. Graduates

Mrs. Bryson’s class:

Thuya Aung, Brayden Brown,

Sha’Marion Brown, Dustin Carroll, Zulema Diaz, Miracle Foust, Azion Frazier, Raphael Goodwin, Kyle Hayward, Maurice Holman, Aaron Johnson, Tariah Johnson, Jayden Miller, Davida Mixon, Deliyah Risi, Kylen Seabrooks, Da’Quan Stroman, Paris Thompson, Michelle Williams, Karter Wilson

Mrs. Epps’ class:

Ke’Ara Bing, Anthony Castillo, Bryan Diaz, Ja’Nyla Donaldson, Brandon Dunbar, Carolina Flores, Douglas Ford, Lauren Frazier, Ca’Mari Johnson, Quinten Johnson, Tyler Joyner, Chasity Lee, Christian McMillan, Kahrin Mixon, Heather Nickens, DaMaurius Odom, Braylon Owens, Semaj Rice, Cameron Smith, Landrea Young

Mrs. Brown’s class:

Tyler Davis, Sanaa Jenkins, Travaris Johnson, Bryson Jones, Nevaeh Joyner, Trenton Moors, Disha Patel, Kenya Tyler

Ms. Jenkins’ class:

Cortni Gleaton, Taylor Hampton, Warren Jamison, Melyndi Martin, Tramell Mitchell, Tatiana Pernell, Haylei Sapp, Noah Sawyer, LaShae Smalls, Marcus Smalls, Abigail Smith, Mike Walker