Graduation congratulations

Thumbs-up to the more than 300 fifth-graders in Seymour Community School Corp. and the 113 fifth-graders at Brownstown Elementary School for completing the D.A.R.E. program. Those students have spent an hour a week learning how to resist peer pressure; say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco; prevent bullying; and make good decisions in their lives. A related thumbs-up goes to Seymour D.A.R.E. officers Tim Toborg and Gilbert Carpenter and Brownstown D.A.R.E. Officer Tom Wright for the time they spend with the program each year and local businesses and individuals who make the programs possible through donations.Exceeding expectationsThumbs-up to Seymour Middle School students involved in a drive this fall to collect clothing for the Jackson County Clothing Center. The students exceeded the goal of collecting 5,000 items by 942 for the program that began as a coat drive in 1991. The clothing center at 207 N. Pine St. provides clothing and small household items for people in the community who are in need.

Unified athletes

Thumbs-up to the Seymour High School students involved in efforts to help the school fulfill the requirements of the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Unified Athletes and Championship Together banner program. The program serves as a springboard into the creation of a unified athletics team that allows special need students to compete in licensed IHSAA events with other schools. There are currently 37 Hoosier schools that have completed the program. The Owls recently received a banner — to be hung in Lloyd E. “Barney” Scott Gymnasium — announcing the school’s membership in the program.

Reversing overdoses

Thumbs-up to Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller for recognizing local police departments that have received training on the use of Narcan. The drug, also known as naloxone, can be used to reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids such as heroin and morphine. The local departments are among the 57 in the state now trained and equipped with Narcan.