Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: DARE Awards Ceremony Held at Missouri Baptist University
DARE Awards Ceremony Held at Missouri Baptist University
January 20, 2003
Creve Coeur fifth graders celebrated their DARE graduation with an awards presentation held at Missouri Baptist University’s Pillsbury Chapel Wednesday, January 15. Over 700 attended to cheer on the DARE graduates, representing all seven Creve Coeur public and private elementary schools.
One hundred sixty-one students graduated from the seven core DARE classes, joining over 2,000 Creve Coeur students to do so through the duration of the program. The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, led by uniformed police officers, teaches fifth grade students lessons focused on basic life skills such as making decisions about risky behavior; resistance techniques (ways to say no); building and maintaining good self esteem; conflict resolution and dealing with violent behavior.
Through the semester, students described “What DARE Means to Me” in essay form. Seven were awarded based on their content and originality. From each core class, one student was chosen as Student of the Semester (SOS) for following DARE rules and being a positive influence in the class. Winners of the essay contest received a brass medallion, a cased 2003 American Eagle Silver Dollar, and a gift certificate. SOS winners received a brass medallion and a U.S. Savings Bond.
“We believe it is really essential to recognize excellent behavior and academic achievement. To that end, we award the DARE Students of the Semester and the essay contest winners,” explains Officer Bob Darlington of the Creve Coeur Police Department.
At the ceremony, DARE spokesperson Retro Bill, traveled from Hollywood to entertain Creve Coeur students with his animated, cartoon-style entertainment. His Elvis-black hair and checkered black and white jacket may look silly, but his message coincides with the DARE purpose.
“We are proud to host the DARE awards. It is a great opportunity to applaud both the students and the educators for the work they have done,” states Keith Ross, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
« MBU Student Teachers Experience Urban Education
News Archives
MBU Record Setting Recruitment Day »
Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
# # #
