Pictured above are the essay contest winners. The fifth grade winner was Kyle Slade (left), and the sixth grade winner was Madison Wright (right).
Fifth and sixth graders at Divine Mercy have spent the last ten weeks with Officer Nick Mendez, who taught the students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives. Officer Mendez covered topics from peer pressure, effective communication, bullying, effects of drugs on health, resistance strategies, risk and consequences, responsible decision making, dealing with stressful situations, nonverbal communication and listening, and helping others. At the end of the course, students had to write an essay about what they learned from the program. Each student graduated from the course and enjoyed a DARE graduation party that included a certificate, pizza, and dodgeball. Sheriff Landers even showed up to get hit a few times.
