The latest cohort of Stephens County fifth-grade C.H.A.M.P.S. graduated through the sheriff’s office-sponsored program this week.
On May 16, law enforcement officials and school leaders gathered to celebrate the 2025 C.H.A.M.P.S. Graduation at the Stephens County Fifth Grade Academy.
C.H.A.M.P.S., which stands for Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety, is a safety and life skills program taught annually by certified School Resource Officers. Designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools to avoid risky behaviors, the curriculum emphasizes the dangers of substance abuse and promotes positive, healthy alternatives.
Sheriff Rusty Fulbright and other Stephens County officers on Friday joined academy staff to honor more than 280 fifth-grade students who successfully completed the program during the 2024–2025 school year.
Over the course of the first semester, students participated in lessons on drug and alcohol prevention, internet safety, bullying and emergency preparedness. As part of the program, students also created educational posters addressing critical topics such as vaping, alcohol use, hunting and swimming safety, and when to call 911.
The graduation ceremony recognized the students’ dedication and the ongoing collaboration between Stephens County schools and local law enforcement to support youth education and safety.
