PHOTOS: Markham Students D.A.R.E. to Take the Right Path

Friday's DARE graduation ceremony for fifth grade students at capped off 10 weeks of of learning about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse and working closely with members of the

"(The program) gives them the foundation to say 'No' to drugs," Sgt. Martin Scherzinger (Officer Marty) told the group of friends and family that came out on Friday afternoon for the annual ceremony. "It still needs to be reenforced at home."

Scherzinger celebrated his 20th anniversary working as the district's DARE officer this year and his mentee, Officer Frank Salerno, told the audience that Officer Marty had "put his heart and soul into this program."

A number of community leaders were on hand to congratulate the students on their efforts, including Mayor Robert Neff, Jr., Councilman Dane Mihlon, Police Chief Daniel Shaffery, School Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Kossack, and district principals Dr. Pamela Albert Devine and Dennis Morolda.

, Oceanport's DARE officer and the New Jersey DARE Officer of the Year, was also at Friday's ceremony.

Winners of the DARE essay contest were also announced and shared their winning entries with their fellow students. The winners, one from each class of the 84 entries, were Pheobe Drummond, Rory Dunigan, Page Lootsma and Grace Noglows.

Salerno told the class at the end that he had enjoyed coming to the school and spending time with the students. "You guys always made us laugh," he said.