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Lakes Area Police Chief Stenson presided over DARE graduation ceremonies Dec. 3 for Taylors Falls Elementary fifth graders. Students were congratulated for making the commitment to stay away from peer pressure when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Left, Kali Malaski and Abbi Morgan were chosen by peers to read their DARE essays at graduation; below, all the students performed skits, songs or read poems about what they learned in the program. The Community Partnership with Youth and Families Improv Troupe performed a skit about saying no to drugs, and Principal Joe Thimm stressed the importance of parental involvement in ensuring that kids make the right choices.

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