Dunbar Auditorium was packed Tuesday night with Parents family and friends of the 5th grade DARE graduating class. Students from Hackler Intermediate School joined almost 10,000 students that have graduated through the DARE program in Baxter County since 1997. Students throughout the county this year are wearing their DARE graduation T-Shirt with the big 20 on the back, which marks 20 years of DARE in our area schools.

Tuesday night Dunbar Auditorium was packed for the 2017 DARE Graduation.

Lieutenant Ralph Bird presents John Browning of the Mountain Home Elks lodge with a plaque thanking him for 20 years of support.

Sheriff John Montgomery presents Mountain Home School Superintendent Dr. Jacob Long with a plaque thanking them for supporting our school resource officer and DARE program for 20 years.

Students cross the stage and are congratulated on their graduation.

Final words of support are provided by Sheriff John Montgomery, Hackler Principal Sondra Monger, and Mountain Home School Resource officer Deputy Daniel Campfield.

The 2016-2017 Cotter School D.A.R.E. graduation started off with an amazing performance of the Pledge of Allegiance by Cotter 8th grade student Aimee Tardif, guest speakers were, Elementary Principal Airl Cheek, Local Business owner Nathan Buck and Sheriff John Montgomery. Mr. Buck spoke about making good choices and gave the students some insight as to how D.A.R.E. had helped him. Mr. Buck was in the class from 1997 when D.A.R.E. was first offered in Baxter County.

Graduating D.A.R.E. Class

Principal Cheek, Mr. Buck and Sheriff Montgomery speak to students

Top Student, Jillian Wilkinson, Best Essay, Brooks Cheek, 2nd place Essay, Ryenn Lawing