By CINDY BISHOP

cindy.bishop@gaflnews.com

With STAFF REPORTS

ROCHELLE – More than 100 Wilcox County Elementary School fifth graders gathered Wednesday to be recognized for completing the C.H.A.M.P.S. program.

C.H.A.M.P.S., which stands for Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety, is a 10 week course and is taught by Wilcox County Sheriff’s Deputy Lee Cone. The program encompasses a wide range of topics including drug resistance, eating disorders, boating, ATV and hunter safety, bullying, home alone, Internet safety and awareness of the dangers of alcohol and tobacco to name a few.

According to Wilcox County Sheriff Stacy Bloodsworth, the program was started about five years ago by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

This year’s graduation ceremony featured local youth minister Johnny Cook, who used students dressed as super heroes like Spiderman, Superman, Underdog and Shrek to emphasize his message to the students.

“These guys were picked on because they weren’t as popular as everybody else or they were ugly, but they didn’t turn to drugs and alcohol to solve their problems. Instead, they chose to do something to help mankind.”

Bloodsworth, along with Col. Adam Newman and Dep. Cone presented special awards during the ceremony. Spivey Reagan was named as the best overall participant for the program. Savana Bloodsworth was chosen as the first place winner for the program’s poster contest and Matthew McMillan was chosen as the winner of the essay contest.

Cone also made special mention of the fact that every student that participated in yesterday’s ceremony passed the program’s final exam.

“That lets me know that I did my job and that these kids were listening,” said Cone. “That is so important because they are the future leaders of our community.”