Briggs students RISE up

John R. Briggs fifth-grader Jonathan Streeks shakes the hand of Ashburnham Police Officer Kevin Ahearn after receiving his RISE diploma on Wednesday, Jan. 31 (top).

Respect Increases Student Excellence (RISE) is what the three-year-old program at John R. Briggs works to prove and a program which fifth graders graduated from on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The program shows students how to deal with things ranging from drugs and alcohol to bullying and selfesteem. School officials, police and parents agree, this 10-week program is great for the fifth graders.

"I think it's wonderful to inform the kids," said Paula Lamarche. "My son is very proud." The children weren't the only ones that were proud. Faces lit up as the RISE students all entered in single-file to take their appropriate seats before the stage.

Row by row the students stood proudly waiting for their instructor, Craig Cucchiara, to call their name so they could step up onto the stage and accept their diploma and to shake the hands of Lauren Badolato, Gail Dumont, and Ashburnham Police Officer Kevin Ahearn, who are clearly recognized as essential parts to what RISE is all about.

John R. Briggs fifth-grader Brittanii Beatrice receives her RISE diploma from Craig Cucchiara during the ceremony (bottom). Journal Photos/Robert Dyke

"As long as the kids take one thing out of the program," Ahearn said after the graduation, "we've done our job."

There is no doubt that RISE has had quite an impact on the students of J.R. Briggs and will continue to do so for years to come.

"We're taking a proactive approach that they can use throughout their lives," said Badolato.

- Compiled by

Robert Dyke, Journal Correspondent