Pictured, from left, are Warsaw Police Department Officer Roy Navarro, Warsaw Community Schools’ Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, Ben Zartman (Washington), WPD Officer Lewis Fuller, Abigail Stratton (Edgewood), WCS Superintendent of Secondary Education Tracy Horrell, Aiden Swafford (Edgewood), Zoe Bergan (Warsaw Community High School) and WCS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dani Barkey. Photos provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

Press Release

WARSAW — At the Warsaw Community Schools’ board work session on Tuesday, May 9, the board recognized the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and DARE officers.

They also celebrated the start of the 35th anniversary of DARE in Warsaw, as this year concludes the 34th year.

The program has had many great officers, including Warsaw Police Department Officers Lewis Fuller and Roy Navarro, who continue to dedicate their time and passion to the students of WCS. The late Sergeant Terry Polston, affectionately known as OP, is recognized as the program’s most renowned officer whose commitment has solidified the program’s foundation.

The DARE program continues to recognize outstanding student achievements through its various awards. The Sergeant Terry Polston Award and Sticker Awards are given to deserving students who have demonstrated good citizenship, classroom participation, and kindness.

The Essay Award is a competition in the students’ homeroom classes and students write about what DARE means to them. Students are recognized during the two graduation nights, which were held on April 25 and May 9.

The Drake Strong Award is given in memory of Drake Price. Drake was an honorary police officer with WPD. Drake lived by the saying, “If you are not smiling while you’re doing something, you are not doing it right.” This is given to two students in the district. This year’s award winners were Wyatt Lotz, Eisenhower Elementary School sixth-grader; and Alanna Stern, Harrison Elementary School sixth-grader.

The DARE Student of the Year Award is the highest honor, given to those who have gone above and beyond in their participation and citizenship. This year’s winners were: Brielle Dirck, Claypool; Rebecca Paton, Washington; Laila JoAnn Ballinger, Madison; Kendall Schuman, Eisenhower; Kinley Briscoe, Jefferson; Rushabh Gorhe, Lincoln; Kaitlyn Srogi, Harrison; and Leah Stafford, Leesburg.

During the DARE graduation ceremonies, keynote addresses were given by two Warsaw Community High School head coaches, Matt Moore and Bart Curtis. They highlighted the significance of devising a game plan for achieving success, which includes envisioning the end goal, recognizing possible hurdles, and being flexible enough to make adjustments.

Additionally, they stressed the value of making good decisions that lead to self-confidence, self-worth, and happiness, such as surrounding oneself with positivity and being punctual.

Officer Fuller serves Lakeview, Leesburg, Harrison, Jefferson, and Lincoln, while Officer Navarro is the DARE coordinator for WPD and serves Sacred Heart, Claypool, Madison, Washington, and Eisenhower.

Becoming a DARE officer requires rigorous training, with a two-week course at the Indiana DARE Officer Training Center, where proficiency in both elementary and middle school curriculums is required. Officer Navarro is a DARE mentor, with the ability to train new DARE officers.

“The program inspires and educates students to make wise life choices,” said Warsaw Community Schools’ Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert. “Our peer students and school resource officers are wonderful role models. We are grateful for their positive relationships and dedication to our schools.”

The DARE program has been a staple in WCS for 35 years, and its positive impact on students’ lives continues to be recognized.