Northside Elementary fifth-grade D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) students were recognized in a graduation ceremony last week.

Graduates of the program, overseen by DeKalb County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Don Adamson were awarded medals and certificates for their accomplishments. The students who are judged to have written the best essays in each class received the awards. The overall winner also receives a stuffed "Daren the Lion," as well as a $50 check from General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II.

This year’s overall winner was Carlie Sexton of Amy Raymond’s class. Sexton read her essay during the graduation ceremony.

The 2015 winners at Northside were:

• Carlie Sexton (Amy Raymond's class.)

• Paige Barber (Amanda Griffith's class.)

• David Martinez (Carrie Gottlied's class.)

• Bella France (Kristen Hankal's class.)

• Katelyn Henry (Alisha Day's class.)

• Rainey Tiner (Josh Odom's class.)

• Verenisse Quezada (Melissa Hale's class.)

• Kaitlin Ferrell (January Agee's class.)

Also in attendance were Sheriff Patrick Ray, Chief Deputy Adamson and other members of the Sheriff's department, as well as Interim County Mayor Tim Stribling, Director of Schools Dr. Danielle Collins, Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Trustee Sean Driver, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss, and Smithville Alderman Gayla Hendrix.