It’s really loud, extremely energetic, and loads of fun for 2,800 fifth graders who will graduate from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program.  Children from 19 Knox County Schools will celebrate at the Thompson Boling Arena, Monday, May 12, 2008 from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m.  Free parking is available across the street from the arena off Lake Loudoun Boulevard.

 It gets loud quickly as the Knox County Motorcycle Officers kick off the festivities with sirens blaring as they roar into the arena.  No one can stay in their seat when the school roll call begins.  And the noise is almost deafening when the DARE instructors are introduced with some special tricks up their sleeves.

 The entertainment intensifies as Retro Bill hits the stage.  As the Official DARE Safety Buddy, Retro Bill tours the country performing live safety and self-esteem shows.  The 1950’s styled, pompadour-haired entertainer uses Silly String, Hula Hoops, and Frisbees to get his safety message across.

 Something different this year will be the announcement of each school’s essay winner, who will receive a DARE backpack filled with a water bottle, DARE radio, a holographic personal body fan, ball cap, autographed posters of Coach Pat Summit and Coach Bruce Pearl, and a ten pound Nestle Crunch Bar.

 A special thanks goes out to FOP Lodge #2 for purchasing the DARE t-shirts for all of the fifth graders and their teachers.