Published April 26. 2025 07:06AM
West Penn Elementary School fifth grade students recently graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
The 10-week program led by West Penn Police Department Chief Jason Lorah and Sgt. John Kaczmarczyk taught the students about making smart choices, staying drug-free, avoiding peer pressure and leading safe and healthy lives.
There were 36 graduates.
A D.A.R.E. Challenge was held after the graduation, and during it, four teams competed for the most points.
Students competed in challenges such as painting with a pig nose, sponge toss, egg toss, finding a gummy worm in a bowl of pudding, obstacle course and the D.A.R.E. Wall, where students got hit with mustard, ketchup, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
The school thanked Lorah and Kazcmarczyk for volunteering their time and building trust and relationships with the students.
The fifth grade teachers at West Penn are Angela Faust and Sheila McArdle.
West Penn Elementary fifth graders recently graduated from the D.A.R.E. program offered by the West Penn Township Police Department. Shown here, front from left, are students Colton Orlick, Christian Miller, Nolan Moyer, Ava Faneck, Laynee Coombe, Bryce Tuckett, Evan Kupres, Mirabella Rivera and Brooklyn Sewak. In second row are students Brayden Rodgers, Kroy Tirpak, Bryce Bailey, Brinley O’Donnell, Paige Alexander, Julia DePaul, Amelia Horan, Dylan Leary, Grant Bealer, Chase Moyer, Hailey Miller, Holly Marsteller, Faith Gill and Isaac Sienkiewicz. In third row are West Penn Police Sgt. John Kaczmarcyzk, students Quynton Danko, Ellie Davis, Kasey Rex, Hunter Field, Evie Warne, Isabella Hargraves, Bailey Romito, Kylie Generella, Weston Lusch, Drake Miller, Finn Davis and Carson Lusch, and West Penn Police Chief Jason Lorah. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
West Penn Elementary School fifth grade student Evie Warne is shown wiping her face after a messy competition held at the recent D.A.R.E. Challenge at the school. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
West Penn Elementary School fifth grade student Julia DePaul dons firefighting gear for a competition during the recent D.A.R.E. Challenge at the school. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
West Penn Elementary School fifth grade student Colton Orlick attempts to catch a wet sponge during the recent D.A.R.E. Challenge held at the school. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Fifth grade students, from left, Brooklyn Sewak and Evie Warne both penned winning essays for the D.A.R.E. program at West Penn Elementary school and are shown with fellow students Julia DePaul and Bryce Tuckett. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
West Penn Township Police Chief Jason Lorah speaks to West Penn Elementary School fifth grade students during the recent D.A.R.E. graduation held at the school. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO