An overflow crowd gathered at Louisville Elementary School this past Friday morning to honor the graduates of the 2018 DARE Class. Some officials who were present remarked that the crowd was so large that it might be time to look for a different venue.
The ceremony opened with a welcome from DARE Officers, Louisville Police Sergeant Tonya McWhirter, followed by the posting of the colors by Louisville High School J.R.O.T.C. and the National Anthem sung by Chandler Wells of Winston Academy.
Louisville Police Chief L.M. Claiborne then assisted McWhirter with the presentation of awards for Essay Winners, Star Students, Student of the Year, Graffiti Winners and Sticker Winners. Those names will be listed below.
In his remarks, Louisville Mayor Will Hill said, “This is one of the greater privileges that I have every year to come to this. If you don’t think Winston County and Louisville is on the move, this room is a picture of one of the biggest crowds that we have seen. And we were just talking about in the future we may need more space, and that is a great problem to have.”
Hill recognized all Louisville officials and members of the Police Department, stating that past and present administrations take great pride in being able to offer the DARE Program. Further, he thanked parents and family members for being a part of the graduation.
Hill said that beyond the program being educational it is bridging a perceived gap between the community and law enforcement. He said, “Every time I get a chance to talk to young students I want to remind you that law enforcement is your friend. It is a scary thing to think about what our world would be like without law enforcement.”
Before introducing the guest speaker, Jae McIntosh, Claiborne thanked parents, grandparents and family for their participation and asked the students to applaud those family members. McIntosh is a former walk-on player Mississippi State football, a professional MMA fighter and owner/head instructor at No Limit Jiu Jitsu in Starkville.
McIntosh reminded the students that they would be faced with many difficult situations in life and that it is up to them to decide to do right or wrong, the importance of making good decisions and being good role models.
Essay Award Winners were:
Noxapater Schools
Mrs. Monk's class- Zachary Lloyd; Mrs. Stalcup's class- Kaitlyn Thrash:
Louisville Elementary Schools
Mrs. Chandler's class- Eric Edwards; Mrs. Spiers' class- Karrington Coburn; Mrs. Tabor's class- Na'khia Hickman; Mrs. White's class- Kemarrion Watson; Ms. Winters' class- Annie Coleman; Mrs. Sharp's class- Zavion Harrington; Mrs. Fondren's class- Antonio Dixon; Mrs. Bonkowski's class- Tyshianna Clark.
Nanih Waiya Schools
Mrs. Roeland's class- Hayley Permenter; Mrs. Watkins' class- Cassie Phillips.
Winston Academy
Mrs. Long's class- Bailey Valenti; Mrs. Putnam's class- Aiden Boykin.
Star Student Awards:
Noxapater Schools- M.J. Harrison; Louisville Elementary- Reed Yates; Nanih Waiya Schools- Lyshawn Johnson; Winston Academy- Ava Chancellor.
Student of the Year Awards:
Noxapater- Tiara Carter; Louisville Elementary- Kaylin Smith; Nanih Waiya Schools- Jazzlyn Goss; Winston Academy- Connor Corran.
Graffiti Winners:
First Place Louisville Elementary, Mrs. Fondren's Class- Stand Against Bullying; Second Place Louisville Elementary, Ms. Winter's Class- Key to the Future; Third Place (Tie) Winston Academy, Mrs. Long's Class- Don't Pop Pills; Third Place (Tie) Louisville Elementary, Mrs. Bonkowski's Class- We D.A.R.E. to Stand; Honorable Mentions: Noxapater, Mrs. Stalcup's class- Say Yes to Life; Nanih Waiya Mrs. Watkin's class- Keepin' It Real; Winston Academy Mrs. Putnam's Class- Hocus Pocus; Mrs. White's class- D.A.R.E. to be Yourself.
Class Sticker Winners
Mrs. Chandler's class- Carmelo Williams; Ms. Spiers' Class- Cambree Moore; Mrs. Tabor's Class- Gabby Thames; Mrs. White's Class- Kentravious Ward ; Ms. Winters' Class- Marquistion Eiland; Mrs. Sharp's Class- Tocorian Goss; Mrs. Fondren's Class- Tyquavious Hudson; Mrs. Bonkowski's Class- Chawan Jernigan; Mrs. Roeland's Class- Ciara Smith; Mrs. Watkins' Class- Zandy Eiland; Mrs. Monk's Class- J'cameron Riley; Mrs. Stalcup's Class- Ty Wilson; Mrs. Long's Class- Wyatt Moody; Mrs. Putman's Class- Braley Dickerson.
