Photos and articles by Roger Lanse and Mary Alice Murphy

D.A.R.E. officers, along with Silver City Police Chief and Sheriff Frank Gomez delivered bicycles to two winners of the essay contest on Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Martin Perrault, 10, soon-to-be sixth grader at Calvary Christian Academy in Silver City, was awarded a new bicycle for submitting one of the two top essays in the DARE program's essay contest.

From left are: Deputy Alice Black; Officer Anthony Flores; Martin Perrault; Officer Manny Jaure; Capt. Jess Watkins, back row (GCSO); AJ Tow, Twin Sisters Bicycle and Fitness; Daren the DARE Lion; Sgt. Manny Maldonado, Coordinator of GCSO's DARE program; Deputy Jade Benavidez; Detective Daniel Tavizon (SCPD); Sheriff Frank Gomez; and, Chief Freddie Portillo. (Photo by Roger Lanse)

A parade of emergency and private vehicles brought a DARE lion and members of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Silver City Police Department, Silver City Fire Department to Martin’s home to personally deliver the bicycle to him.

 Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Sky Hussey, a student at G.S. Stout, was the other essay winner. 

From Left to right are: SCPD Chief Freddy Portillo, Deputy Jade Benavidez, GCSO Captain Jess Watkins, SCPD Detective Daniel Tavizon, Daren the Lion, kneeling Deputy Alice Black, winner Sky Hussey, Officer Anthony Flores, Martyn Pearson Gila Hike and Bike, GSCO Sergeant Manuel Maldonado, Sheriff Frank Gomez.The same parade of emergency and private vehicles announced its arrival several blocks away with sirens blaring.

Sky knew they were coming, but a wonderful look of surprise went across her face when the bicycle was pulled out of the back of a pickup. She smiled and smiled and smiled. Her thank yous were frequent and genuine, even before her mom reminded her to say: Thank you, which she did once again, right before, still smiling, she turned the bicycle and walked it into the driveway.

More photos below: