Students D.A.R.E. to be different

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Neighbors | Submitted.Holy Family fifth-grade students from left; (back) Michelle Hanna and Nathan Moderalli; (front) Marisa Ricciardi and Evi Harakal were selected to read their D.A.R.E. essays during the graduation proceedings.Ricciardi said, “I have learned to say no to peer pressure. The most important skill I have learned is to be my own person.”

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Neighbors | Submitted.Holy Famiy School's fifth-grade class posed with Officer Tom Johnson of the Poland Police Dept. after the D.A.R.E. graduation.All 24 graduates received certificates and T-shirts.

Fifth-grade students from Holy Family learned to stand up against peer pressure and to just say “no.”

Monica Repasky’s fifth-grade class at Holy Family School recently graduated 24 students from the D.A.R.E. program. With parents in attendance, the students collected their certificates and T-shirts from Poland police officer Tom Johnson.

Johnson conducted the D.A.R.E. training and said the students learned about saying “no” to drugs, alcohol and violence.

Part of the program required the students to write an essay about the program and why they should just say “no.” Four students were selected to read their essays during the graduation proceedings.

“Did you know alcohol can damage every organ in your body? Because of my D.A.R.E. training, I will make healthier choices,” wrote Michelle Hanna.

“The D.A.R.E. program taught me about making wrong choices. Officer T.J. helped me learn the skills to stay safe and healthy,” Evi Harakal said.

“I will not be pressured by others. I will not be part of a bad choice. When you choose to do drugs at a young age, it will affect every part of your body now and in the future. I do not want to die from making bad choices in my life,” wrote Nathan Moderalli.

“I have learned to say no to peer pressure. The most important skill I have learned is to be my own person,” explained Marisa Ricciardi.

The 24 students graduating from the program are Cory Chepke, Paul Diorio, Victor DiTommaso, Kristen Eckman, Paul Graziano, Michelle Hanna, Evi Harakal, Katrina Hayes, Matthew Keller, Maria LoCicero, Victoria Martin, Christopher Masternick, Nathan Moderalli, Benjamin Morucci, Henry Mumaw, Laura Pesko, Adelle Pociask, Michael Puhalla, Marisa Ricciardi, Mya Snyder, Rebell Strollo, Mallory Wardle, Kelly Williams and Emily Yasechko.