Bellefontaine Intermediate School student Ava Oppy, left, addresses her peers Monday morning at the BIS DARE graduation for fifth-graders. Ava was one of nine essay winners honored during the outdoor event with “fist bumps,” certificates and Challenge Coins from DARE officer and school resource officer Isaac Chiles, Bellefontaine Police Department Chief Brandon Standley, Bellefontaine City Schools Superintendent Brad Hall and Lt. Chris Marlow and K9 Arco. “I can use everything I learned in DARE to help me down the right path in life,” Ava said during her speech. Officer Chiles told the pupils that the DARE program is offered in fifth-grade since it’s an important transitional time as students prepare for middle school next year. “My goal is to prepare you for that transition with a number of tools, including positive decision-making skills and the ability to evaluate risks and consequences.” Fellow essay winners included: Nettie Vilaysane, Caleb Sechrest, Sloan Stolly, Amari Hunsicker, Lincoln Banta, Kinley Dunn, Kaylee Gudger and Jordan Teague. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)