Nearly 100 Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy students celebrated what they learned in the parish's first D.A.R.E. class in two decades.
During the 10-week program, the sixth-grade students learned how to be safe, healthy and responsible, skills they can use to avoid drug and alcohol abuse or stop bullying among their classmates.
"If we can change the life of one person, then the program worked," said Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas. "We're sitting here with over 90 kids today who are graduating from the D.A.R.E. program."
Thomas and his office spearheaded the program with Deputy Marshal Tyrone Alexander leading the classes at the school and interacting with the students.
Thomas said he could see a shift between the students and his office as the program progressed. When he and his deputies first would come to campus, students would avoid them or worry someone was in trouble. Now, students give them high-fives and talk with the deputies.
Each graduate was awarded a certificate. But some students received extra recognition. One was saluted for the way she kept her D.A.R.E. planner filled out. Another four were recognized for essays they wrote about what they learned that will be entered into the state essay competition.
But Jailyn Bourque received the best prize: Daren, the stuffed lion D.A.R.E. mascot. It's the same prize Alexander was awarded after completing his D.A.R.E. training.
"Daren is my favorite," said Jailyn, who walked around with the lion on his shoulders.