By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Fifth graders at Harrelson, Henry, and Lakewood Schools were graduated from the Henry County DARE program at the annual ceremony and the excitement was palpabe. Especially when Daren, the DARE program’s mascot showed up. The ceremony is usually held at the Henry County High School, but the venue was changed this year to Maplewood Baptist Church, which has a large chapel area, big enough for all the kids, their parents and guardians, teachers and friends.
The County DARE program is under the supervision of Lakewood SRO Bruce Alexander, who said there were 151 graduates this year: 43 from Harrelson; 38 from Henry; and 70 from Lakewood.
Speaker this year was Jeremy Buckelew. Rev. Eric Dyer welcomed everyone to the church.
Winner of the County Wide DARE Essay contest was Haidyn Marshall from Lakewood.
Other winners:
Harrelson–Best Pledge Nathan Elliot; Best Essay Reyleigh McCormik
Henry–Best Pledge Emma Chapman; Best Essay Baelyn Thomasson
Lakewood–Best Pledge Isabella Nathan; Best Essay Abby Swaby.
Photo: Haidynn Marshall reads her winning essay, while Alexander, Lakewood Principal Amber Ryan, Chief Deputy Scott Wyrick, School Board Member Russ Orr, Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins and Henry Principal Ashley James listen. (Shannon McFarlin photo).