Fifth grade students at Panther Valley Elementary School learned how to say no to drugs and alcohol through the DARE program taught by Nesquehoning Police Officer Sean Smith.

PVSD Superintendent Rosemary Porembo told the children, "There will be more pressure put upon you now that you are moving up to the middle school. Remember what you learned in DARE and about peer pressure. Doing drugs takes away from your ability to think clearly."Mayor Tony Walck said, "The police are your friends and there's a lot of knowledge that will stay with you."Each fifth grade teacher announced the names of the graduating students. Essay winners were first place winners Danielle Hudicka and Brendan Morgans (bikes), second place Anthony Greco and Skylar Francesco (i pod shufflers), and third place Aaron Rohlfing and Brenna Karnish ( $50 Savings Bonds).Sponsors for the program were Panther Creek Partners (pizza, iced tea, shirts, and sun glasses); Kovatch Corporation (bikes); and Nesquehoning Lions Club ( $50 Savings Bonds).