Former fifth grader and 2007 D.A.R.E. graduate in the Spearfish School District, Maddie Drumm, said in an essay: "Officer Candi Watts is the best D.A.R.E. officer ever. She really helps you make good decisions."

Others in the state expressed similar feelings recently by awarding Watts the Ron Tennill D.A.R.E. Officer the Year Award.

Watts accepted the award at the annual D.A.R.E. officers training conference in Pierre, which also marked the 20th anniversary for the South Dakota D.A.R.E. Officers Association.

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