Full Notification

Sheriff Joey Lemons
Stokes County Sheriff's Office

The Stokes County Board of Education recognized the 2026 D.A.R.E. Essay Winners for their outstanding work and commitment to making positive choices!
The D.A.R.E. education program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to resist drugs, alcohol, bullying, and other high-risk behaviors. The program focuses on helping students make good decisions that will positively impact their future.
The D.A.R.E. Program began nationally in 1983, and through the partnership between the Stokes County Sheriff’s Department and Stokes County Schools, D.A.R.E. education has been provided to Stokes County students for more than 30 years.
Each year, students participating in the D.A.R.E. program are asked to write an essay describing what they have learned and how the program will impact their future. We are proud to recognize this year’s essay winners and thank our D.A.R.E. officers for their dedication to our students.
D.A.R.E. Officers:
Captain Danny Bottoms (Supervisor/Instructor)
Sergeant Mary Ziglar (Instructor)
Sergeant Amanda Shouse (8th Grade Instructor)
Corporal Scott Gordon (Instructor)
Officer Will Meadows (King PD Instructor)
2026 Essay Winners:
Nancy Reynolds Elementary
• Erin Bohannon
• Fisher Todd
Sandy Ridge Elementary
• Brenda Brady
Germanton Elementary
• Tyler Sullivan
London Elementary
• Memphis Smith
• Reece Stultz
Walnut Cove Elementary
• Hollis Holt
• Caleb Parker
King Elementary
• Xadrian Suarez
• Aliza Honaker
• Eleana Perez-Hernandez
Pinnacle Elementary
• Kori Shelton
Poplar Springs Elementary
• Kaydence Tuttle
• Emma Holliday
• Zaiden Miles
Mount Olive Elementary
• Liam Dunford
• Dean Grabs
Congratulations to all of our student winners!