Unlike most commencement exercises where the graduates don caps and gowns, the 167 sixth-grade students at Colonel John Siegfried Elementary School, Northampton, wore black T-shirts.

They received diplomas June 4 for completing the 10-week D.A.R.E. (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) program. The focus was both on avoiding drugs and alcohol and how to deal with bullying.

Teacher/advisor Gary Pierzga, who has been with the program for more than a dozen years, addressed parents, grandparents and the students. He spoke of the success of the program, which began in 1983. It now reaches millions of children from kindergarten through 12th grade in 51 states and 49 countries.

Pierzga said the course is designed to provide the children an education on bullying and drugs and alcohol that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Northampton Police Chief Ron Morey, the point man in the D.A.R.E. classrooms, said the course provides an open dialogue on issues that will confront them, mentioning police are friends of the students. Morey urged the students to engage in conversation with police officers and come to them if they have a problem.

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano, gave the keynote as he has for the past 12 years. Beginning on a light moment, he said students should go home and ask for a graduation present.

Turning serious, he directed his message to the parents, Giordano said, "Know where your kids are, know who they are with, be a pain in the neck. Don't rely on anyone else."

Giordano told a story about a young man he knew who recently died of a drug overdose. He also talked about the son of a friend who got into petty trouble. It was "no big deal" but "no big deal" kinds of trouble tend to graduate to worse things.

"Little things do add up," the judge said, "It's OK not to go to a party. It's OK to be different."

Students with first, second and third place for their essays received stuffed lions. First place winners read their essays. They include Jacob Galle, Pauline Francisco, Alex Tews, Anna Svolos, Jordan McCarthy, Sebastian Rosario and Alyssa Glass.