Decatur Students Celebrate Significant Achievement with DARE...

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Graduation season is in full swing, and a school in Decatur has revived a ceremony that hasn’t been seen in nearly twenty years, marking a significant milestone for both students and the community.

This week, fifth graders from Johns Hill Magnet School proudly crossed the stage, celebrating their completion of the D.A.R.E program. Over sixty students participated in this 10-week pilot initiative, which was reintroduced to the school after a lengthy hiatus.

The program’s revival was made possible through a collaboration between Decatur Police and Decatur Public Schools. While D.A.R.E’s roots lie in drug education, the modern iteration has expanded to cover broader topics, focusing on key life skills and decision-making processes.

“It’s not just about drugs like it was in the past. It’s about decision making and life choices,” said Decatur’s Police Chief, Brad Allen, highlighting the program’s evolution.

In related community news, a $150,000 grant has launched an 8-year lease for heart monitor equipment at the Decatur Fire Department, demonstrating the city’s ongoing commitment to public safety and well-being.

It all started with an idea from Deputy Chief Scott Rosenbery, who thinks D.A.R.E has been gone for too long.
Detective Larson agrees.

“This is my home school. This is the first one I was assigned to, and so we decided to start with this,” Detective Dreu Larson said.

He’s been with Decatur Police for 18 years, three of those as a school resource officer at Johns Hill.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the schools, as a school resource officer and being in the classroom is just an added bonus with these kids,” Larson said.

He said that week one started out pretty quiet.

“Then, as time progressed, I got more and more comments and participation. It was fun to see the progression,” Larson shared.

One student got to present a hand-written letter to Larson and to his peers.

“The D.A.R.E program helped me learn how to define, assess, respond and to evaluate,” Kaiden Watson, a D.A.R.E graduate, said.

Larson spent the past ten weeks teaching that message and how to be servant leaders.
That’s what Allen said they need more of in the city.

“The younger we can be involved with them, and build those relationships, and have them look up to us, and us be able to send messages, and give this kind of message to the kids is a great opportunity,” Allen said.

Building the future of Decatur, one good choice at a time.

Larson said fourth graders are already asking about going through the program next year, and they’re planning to bring it back year after year.

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Decatur Students Celebrate Significant Achievement with DARE Program Graduation

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