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DARE graduates over 350 students
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Posted on May 31 2008
More than 350 students graduated Friday from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program at Hopwood Junior High School.
The graduates each received certificates of accomplishment from the Department of Public Safety.
According to DARE instructor and police officer Isa Bokuku, the students learned how to keep away from prohibited drugs, gain better self-esteem, and become the best citizens the CNMI could ever have.
These, she said, are just some of the objectives of the DARE program.
DPS Commissioner Clyde Norita, who provided brief remarks, Education Commissioner David M. Borja, DARE board president Jonas M. Barcinas, and the DPS-DARE team attended the commencement exercises.
The DARE session lasted eight weeks at 45 minutes for each class.
The top 10 students who were recognized in Friday’s ceremony were Emelyn R. Feria, Rolando Sangalang, John Tenorio, Raynalynn Sablan, Glorily Williams, Shawn Seman, Jon Cenir, Kelly Demapan, Shannon Lely, and Elizabeth Phan.
All in all, “the students did very well. They learned a whole lot and have each promised to reinforce what they’ve learned into their lives,” said Bokuku.
She said many of the students shared their personal experiences at home and family members abusing illegal drugs.
“These kids have learned how to trust us and open up to us. We want them to know that we’re here to help them,” Bokuku said.
DPS started the program in 1995 but has been conducting the program at Hopwood only. Bokuku said that Hopwood’s high student population, along with its ability to provide logistical requirements for the DARE program, makes the school one of the ideal places to host the program.
Police officer Joe Saures, who also attended Friday’s event, said there should be a follow-up training on the new graduates because if there were none, values imparted to them would not be reinforced.
