McKeesport Area SD marks 30th DARE graduation as students read essays on bullying, peer pressure and substance risks

McKeesport Area School District held its 30th annual DARE graduation, where officers, local leaders and fifth-grade students marked completion of a 10-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education course focused on decision-making, resisting peer pressure and avoiding substance use.

The program’s founders and instructors were recognized. Connor Shields, appearing in place of State Representative Dan Gogenerier, presented official citations to officers who have led DARE locally and praised their decades of service. “Officer Joe Dipredo, Officer Marty Fontaine, and Officer Worley … have all dedicated their time to come here and help our younger generation,” Shields said.

Officer Joe Lopretto, who the ceremony identified as an early DARE instructor in McKeesport, reflected on starting the local program about 30 years ago and encouraged continued community support. “I started this 30 years ago… I just hope it sticks with you and make right best choices you can,” Lopretto said.

Ina Morton, introduced as mayor of White Oak, told the graduates the program aims to equip them to resist pressure and to stand up for themselves. “Go out and show others what good students we have in the McKeesport Area School District,” Morton said.

Officer Marty Fontaine, the event’s DARE instructor, addressed students and parents about applying the lessons as students move to middle school. He emphasized that ‘‘real courage is standing up for yourself’’ and urged families to stay involved. Fontaine reminded students that asking for help is not a sign of weakness and encouraged them to use the DARE decision-making model taught in class.

Students read classroom essays describing what they learned. Olivia Cragan of Frances McClure said bullying stood out to her and recited DARE’s four types of bullying—physical, verbal, social and cyber—along with a reporting approach using the "5 W’s" (who, what, when, where and why). Annalisa Smith and Karina Rogers highlighted lessons on alcohol, smoking and vaping and said DARE helped them understand risks and how to seek help.

Lyric Washington and Anthony Jones recounted broader health concerns they discussed in class. Washington referenced national figures for drug-related deaths and described neonatal abstinence syndrome as rare but possible; those figures were presented as the student’s statements. Jones cited several numerical examples in his essay about the harms of alcohol and smoking; those figures are reported here as the student expressed them during the ceremony.

Organizers then called students by classroom to receive certificates, with staff reading long lists of names from across the district. The ceremony closed with reminders from the host that the work to reinforce DARE lessons continues at home and in the community.

The event honored the program’s three-decade presence in McKeesport and reiterated the district’s message that adults, teachers and law enforcement share responsibility in supporting children's choices as they grow.