82 Milbank Students Graduate From DARE 

Milbank finished its DARE programs for 2024 with St. Lawrence School’s DARE graduation on May 10. A total of 82 students from Milbank’s two elementary schools successfully completed the program this year. 

According to Candee Cloos, fifth-grade teacher at St. Lawrence, the students attended 10 sessions with Officer Jake Folk. The lessons covered making good decisions, bullying, and information about drug and alcohol use. Students were required to write an essay sharing what they learned and how they will apply it to their life. They also declared a DARE promise. 

The 14 St. Lawrence candidates read their essays to everyone who attended graduation. Certificates were awarded to the graduates. Boyd VanVooren, former Milbank Police Chief and longtime DARE instructor, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

During the learning sessions, one student repeatedly had requested to experience being handcuffed. With permission from his parents, the student had the cuffs put on him by the Milbank Police Department, and he did some time in shackles. However, Officer Folk did not throw the book at him.

Officer Folk had also led the 68 fifth-grade students at Milbank Elementary through their series of 10 one-hour lessons. Graduation was held in February in the Milbank HIgh School theater.  

The students were then encouraged to attend a home basketball game to sing The Star Spangled Banner with other alumni of the program.

David Graf, principal of Milbank Elementary, commented, “Our annual DARE night highlights the program and reinforces what students both past and present have learned through the program. We also have giveaways and an ice cream treat for participants.”

Top Photo: St. Lawrence- Back Row Trinity Brehemer, Tatum Brehmer, Kinleigh Brandenburger, Derek Hoffmann, Simon Hicks,Hannah Pauli, Rosie Street, Nadia Howard, Officer Jake Folk, Front Row- Riley Krause, Oliver Folk, Zayne Frerichs, Bridget Nelson, Stella Pulling, Isabelle Karels.
Submitted Milbank Elementary Group Photos: Top- Mrs. Athey’s Class. Middle- Mrs. Mielitz’s Class and Ms. Rick’s Class. Bottom- Ms. Schwenn’s Class.