It's okay to be a 'duck'

West County students graduate D.A.R.E. program

By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Friday, May 30, 2008 11:15 AM CDT

D.A.R.E. Officer Gary Carver congratulates the four essay winners in West County's D.A.R.E. graduation (left to right): Latasha Daugherty, Clayton Brinkley, Racheal Carlyon and Kassidy Logan. - Paula Barr / Daily Journal

Clayton Brinkley wants to stay out of trouble.

Racheal Carlyon doesn’t want to waste her money or kill her future.

Kassidy Logan does not wish to end up like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan.

And Tasha Daugherty wants others to know she is not a chicken, she is a duck — Determined to stay drug free, Un-influenced by others, Cautious about where she goes and with whom she associates and okay with just being herself, a Kid.

The four West County elementary students were among 80 fifth-graders who graduated in May from the D.A.R.E. program. Each of the four had the winning essay in his or her class.

D.A.R.E. Officer Gary Carver presented each of the students with a certificate after telling their parents how proud he is of each of them. The students, in turn, gave him an Applebee’s gift card for a generous amount. Carver said.

“I might even let Mrs. Carver come with me,” the St. Francois County sheriff’s deputy said of his wife.

Each of the essay winners read their work aloud during the ceremony before receiving a medal from Carver.

To read Racheal’s, Tasha’s, Clayton’s and Kassidy’s essays, see Page 3.

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com

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