There were around 30 students in two fifth-grade classes who graduated Thursday morning from the 10-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education program held at Whitesburg Elementary School.

Like the DARE Classes held at John Hay and other elementary schools in Hamblen County, the classes were conducted by Morristown-Hamblen East High School Resource Officer Jim Ballenger who praised the students for a job well done.

“Over the last 10 weeks, we’ve learned a lot about drugs, consequences when using drugs, how to communicate with others,” Ballenger said.

Throughout the program, Ballenger was tasked with choosing a student who stood out from the others. Jay Allgood received a Darren the Lion plush for his active participation.

Isabella Burgin won a DARE medal for an essay written about was learne

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