Published: May 09, 2008 11:40 am      

DARE graduates hear from race car driver

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By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Fifth-grade students graduating from the DARE Program heard from a special guest Thursday afternoon as Gabi DiCarlo, one of two female racecar drivers in the ARCA RE/MAX Series division stopped by during the graduation ceremony.

During the ceremony, 11 finalists were recognized for their DARE essays, with Haden Farenholtz, a J.L. Buford student in Jodi Cooper’s class, announced as the overall winner. Farenholtz received a $50 savings bond from People’s National Bank and value meal coupons from McDonald’s.

Facilitated and organized by Mt. Vernon Police Officer Ray Gilbert, DARE teaches students throughout the year how to avoid drugs, alcohol and violence, and in order to graduate the program, each student is required to write an essay. All 11 winners received a large autographed poster by DiCarlo.

“Today is about all of you,” Gilbert told a packed gym of students, teachers, family and friends at J.L. Buford. “You all pledged to be drug free and that’s why you’re here.” Following the announcement of the winner, Gilbert provided video clips of a couple of DiCarlo’s races, noting to students the importance of having control as a driver.

DiCarlo, who drives a car for Doug Stringer, said she remembers participating in the DARE program in school and it was important to continue the program for students. “You can’t do anything if you go down the wrong path.”

Stringer, who also owns property in McLeansboro used as a satellite location for his Charlotte, N.C., office, said he also believes the DARE program is important to students. “I have a 5 year-old daughter and we’re trying to raise her properly in the right environment. It’s important to succeed and get the opportunity to succeed. ...This community is important to us. I was born and raised in Illinois. We’ve been accepted with open arms and will do what we can.”

“It’s an important day for you and you should be proud of yourself,” DiCarlo told DARE graduates. “Keep on the right track. I did and look where it got me.”

Keegan Myers, a fifth grader at Bethel Grade School, was among the 11 finalists recognized during the ceremony. He said he was nervous when he discovered his essay was a finalist, but he enjoyed learning different things throughout the year. “Drugs and smoking can hurt your lungs and shorten your life,” he said.