Fifth Graders Honored for DARE Essays on Decision Making

Mokena School District 159 Meeting | January 21, 2026

Article Summary: Two fifth-grade students were spotlighted at the Mokena School District 159 Board meeting for their winning essays on the DARE program. The students presented their work on resisting peer pressure and using the DARE decision-making model.

Student Spotlight Key Points:

• Essay Winners: Kaylee Hickey and Claire McCarthy were recognized as the school-wide winners of the DARE essay contest.

• Program Scope: The 10-week program taught by Officer Tom covers drug resistance, peer pressure strategies, and decision-making skills.

• Core Message: Both students highlighted the “Define, Assess, Respond, Evaluate” model as a critical tool for navigating future challenges.

Mokena, IL — The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education began its Wednesday, January 21, 2026, meeting on a celebratory note, shining a spotlight on two fifth-grade students for their writing excellence.

Kaylee Hickey and Claire McCarthy were introduced as the school-wide winners of the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) essay contest. The 10-week program, led by Officer Tom, teaches students factual information about drugs and alcohol, strategies to resist peer pressure, and a decision-making model.

“One small decision can change the rest of your life,” Hickey told the board, reading from her essay. She detailed the DARE decision-making model—Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate—describing it as a tool to help her “look at problems or tough situations step by step so I don’t react too quickly.”

McCarthy also emphasized the practical applications of the program. “DARE taught me that just because someone wants me to do something, it doesn’t mean I have to do it,” she said. She highlighted strategies such as saying no confidently, walking away, or suggesting a safer idea.

Board member Eric Bush later thanked the police department, noting that Officer Tom’s work extends beyond the fifth grade. He praised the officer for helping younger students at Mokena Elementary School learn critical information like their home addresses and phone numbers.

“For our little ones to know that information is critical,” Bush said.