General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon, was the keynote speaker Tuesday for Signal Mountain's Thrasher Elementary D.A.R.E. graduation, which featured a record 96 students graduating from the program.

The Thrasher D.A.R.E program teaches children about drug abuse, Internet safety, "bullying," and other social topics.

Signal Mountain officer Greg Hill, who has been a D.A.R.E instructor for 13 years, said, "Judge Moon lit the auditorium up with his comments and turned the light of education on in the minds of a lot of students today. We had a wonderful program and I am very proud of our students and staff."

Four students whose essays were selected were given special awards. The award-winning essays were read by the students.

Judge Moon challenged the students "to stay in the classroom and out of the courtrom." He said, "If you have an education, you might not have everything, but in today's world, if you do not have an education, you will not have anything. There are two ways to live, smart or hard. There are more than two million people incarcerated in jails and correctional facilities in the United States. I place people in jail everyday. The one thing that most inmates have in common is that they drop out of the classroom and drop into the courtroom. It does not take very long after a student quits school to develop a criminal record that stays with you the rest of your life. If you think it is hard working for a teacher, then wait until you start working for a 'boss.'

"There will be some great employment opportunities in Hamilton County that are coming. Only those people who are educated and maintain good records will get the great jobs. Others will be left on the sideline waiting for a dismal welfare check or stealing for living. I challenge each of you to begin your future today. Stay clean, avoid the wrong crowds and take a long range view of your life. Ask yourselves, 'Who do I want to be, what do I want to have in my life and what do I have to do to make it all happen?'"

Thrasher principal Ann Randolph said, "Signal Mountain is a community where the parents wrap their arms around their kids. We are so very proud of our kids and our parents. We appreciate Judge Moon for taking time from his busy schedule to talk to our kids. He has always advocated for our schools and our students."