Rock County fifth-graders received certificates of completion last week in two D.A.R.E. graduation ceremonies. Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary conducted their ceremony Tuesday morning, May 2, while Luverne Elementary completed their ceremony Friday afternoon, May 5. D.A.R.E (former Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a 10-week program where students learn about making positive choices when faced with various challenges. After a seven-year hiatus, the program returned under the duties of School Resource Officer and Rock County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Stratton.
Luverne Elementary fifth-graders receiving D.A.R.E. certificates Friday afternoon are (front row, from left) Marrs Thone, Jenae Zeutenhorst, Katie Booe, Wyatt Carson, Jayden DeKam, Will Chapin, Kalsen Baker, Charlotte Bierman, Kharter Bollinger, Caul Bonnett, Kadia Brandt, Max Fick, Inge Gangestad, Amelia Ganun, Brooklynn Gillette, Kennedy Gruis, Kaydence Hendricksen, Calden Holtz, Hayden Kurtz, Serenity Kurtz, Shelby Larson, Gavin Mead, Ayla Nelson, Mason Pick, Phillip Rolfs, Cameryn Schepel, Samantha VanMaanen, Molly Boltjes, Jolie Arp, (second row) Tate Ver Steeg, Andrew Wieneke, Emmett Woodley, Taedra McKenzie, Allison Lysne, Destiny Kubesh, Ella Facile, Cali Syndergaard, Emary Zwaan, Mya Wermager, Beck Walgrave, Braxton Stratton-Lafrenz, Harper Renken, Harper Phelps, Melina Panala, Luke Nath, Kaidyn Mundt, Joslyn Meinerts, Ross Loosbrock, Brystol Kramer, Eli Kinsinger, Zach Jonas, Keegan Hess, Ruth Garcia, Nelsi Euceda Paredes, Favian Camarillo, Owen Brockberg, Sierrah Bowen, Braylynn Altman, Hadian Alinizi, (back) Deputy Jeff Stratton, James Eggebrecht, Lucas Nieman, Abrianna Hubbling, Alena Sandbulte, Annie Smeins, Landry Frahm, Brantley Swenson, Ryley Wallenburg, Cooper Thone, Alerick Stanley, Hudson Seifert, Isley Smith, Ingrid Schmuck, Cade Smeins, Eli Ripka, Zella Peterson, Eden Perez, Alayna Oechlse, Khloe Noah, Justin Mulder, Timothy Mahoney, Emerson Klosterbuer, Jocelyn Hartz, Elizabeth Florey, Oliver Carbonneau and Josh Brandt.