Students celebrate DARE graduation

PENN TWP — Penn Christian Academy fifth-grade students recently celebrated their graduation from the DARE program.

Essay contest winners were selected by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department from each of the Penn Christian Academy fifth-grade classes.

Lauren Miko of Cranberry and Chelsea Nguyen of Butler were awarded first place and read their essays at the graduation.

Anthony Guzman-Nagowski of Butler and Dathan Gillis of Penn Township wrote second place essays.

Nathaniel Becker of Penn Township and Bailey Croasmun of Butler received third place.

Lyric Cousins of Butler, also a fifth grader, sang “The Star Spangled Banner” for the event.

The graduation was attended by sergeant and DARE officer Harry Callithen, Butler County commissioners Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier, Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger as well as representatives from state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s office and the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program.