FIFTH GRADERS-

Be A Winner Program Graduates 156 Students at Gravette School

— “Be A Winner” graduation was held recently for 156 fifth graders at Gravette Upper Elementary School. The boys and girls received their “diplomas” for completing an eight-week class that has become a tradition for students in the Gravette school system.

The “Be A Winner” program was again conducted by Gravette police officer Chuck Skaggs who met with each of the fifth gradeclasses one hour each week for eight weeks. He was assisted by officer Travis Grant.

What does the class teach? It teaches how to be a winner by learning to say no to drugs, learning how to develop self-worth, learning how to be good citizens, the importance of being good students, learning the dangers of drugs and alcohol and their consequences, how to resist peer pressure and especially how to say no.

Gravette football coach Bill Harrelsonwas a special speaker. He told the students how his football boys work as a team, how they learn to make good choices, how to make good decisions and the consequences of making bad choices.

The players’ goal is “to make good choices and decisions 24/7, 365 days a year; not just on the practice field and in the game, but also in the classroom.” He stressed the importance of setting goals. “Write down your goals; believe in yourself,” he challenged.

Special guest was Tracy Neal, a student at the University of Arkansas and Miss Northwest Arkansas. She spoke briefly relating how she sets goals and strives to meet them. She also stressed the importance of students setting goals.

As each student was introduced, he or she came on stage, received a diploma and was congratulated by Officer Skaggs and Miss Neal.

Each graduate also received a “Be A Winner” T-shirt to celebrate his or her graduation.

School News, Pages 20 on 06/15/2011