Fifty-six students from Glenwood Avenue Elementary School’s fourth grade graduated from the D.A.R.E. program on April 7 with a crowd of about 100 family members and friends in the audience. The graduation ceremony was organized by Wildwood Police Department’s D.A.R.E. Officer, Eli Aboud. Cape May County Sheriff, Gary G. Schaffer, was in attendance, and the presence of the Canine Unit from his department was the highlight of the festivities.
Poster and essay contest winners were announced and the students excitedly received their diplomas. The graduation concluded with entertainment from a magician and some fabulous food. Sponsors of the event were the North Wildwood Elks, Greater Wildwood Municipal Alliance, Super Fresh, and Piro’s Pizza.
D.A.R.E., which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is substance abuse prevention education. The curriculum’s content gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. The seventeen week D.A.R.E. program at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School is coordinated by Officer Eli Aboud.
The program is sponsored by the federal government and supported by the Wildwood Police Department.