I have spent four years serving as the New York State Representative on the D.A.R.E. International Youth Advocacy Board. During this time, I have implemented mental and physical health curriculum in numerous schools and grade levels, spoken at D.A.R.E. graduations, earned competitive grant funding, and created the New York State Instagram. I’ve also had the privilege of attending workshops in Hawaii, South Carolina, and Florida. Other trips include the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Ireland and visits to New York City.

In my community, I’ve served as Youth Court Judge, Ismailia Shriners volunteer, 2023 Class Secretary, National Honor Society President, and track and soccer varsity captain. I spent 4 years playing soccer with the Western New York Flash. I’ve also interned with my county legislature, District Attorney’s Office, and Family Court. These activities, combined with the D.A.R.E. lifestyle, have prepared me for my future. I am excited to attend Colorado College and study political science. My ultimate goal is to attend law school.

My time as the New York State Representative has connected me with bright young adults around the world with whom I have made countless memories. Working on the Youth Advocacy Board has been the experience of a lifetime. This journey will always hold a special place in my heart.

Along with the wide experience in education, Bonnie brings an awareness of the challenges and rewards of working in law enforcement. She helped form and served as the first president of the Virginia State Police Association Auxiliary. Bonnie now has two children, two step children and ten grandchildren.

Chief Mark Gilmore is married to Mrs. Tabitha Gilmore and is the father of three daughters, Nika, Amber, and Jada Gilmore. He is the proud grandfather of two beautiful grand-daughters, Zoe’ and Izzy. Chief Gilmore enjoys attending church, fishing, singing, refereeing, traveling, cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, and spending time with his family.

Chief Gilmore is looking forward to strengthen not only his rapport with citizens, but help other officers build relationships with citizens in the community.

In March of this year, Mike attended the Mentor Officer Training as a Master Mentor and was so proud to “move up to the big leagues.” The truth was, Mike was always a big leaguer. He was just so busy that he never had time until retirement to play out of town. We all rejoiced in his new, expanded schedule and made many plans for the trips we’d take together when “Big Country” took his facilitation skills on the road. He was one of our best facilitators and it is a great loss to the D.A.R.E. family professionally and personally that we will miss out on all those plans.

Mike served the North Carolina D.A.R.E. Officers’ Association – over his time serving many roles sergeant at arms, first vice president, vice president, president, and past president. In 2012 he was awarded the North Carolina D.A.R.E. Officers’ Association Charles Dunn Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is selected by the N.C. D.A.R.E. Officers’ Association board of directors for individuals who have gone above and beyond for the purposes of the D.A.R.E. program on a state and local level.

Besides all he did for D.A.R.E. Mike was a dedicated family man, spending time with his kids and his beloved Ms. Kaye.

He always had a proud story about each of them. He was a Mason – and devoted to keeping his small Lodge going despite its dwindling membership, drumming up morale and funding at every turn. Mike lived directly across from his church and was an active member, famously serving as a constant lookout for anything from strange cars to the lawn needing a mow – which he usually offered to do himself. He was involved with the Scouting program – an Eagle Scout himself – and the nearby Scout Camp Cherokee, where he showed up every summer to help them earn a law enforcement merit badge.

Mike Adkins was deeply a part of the fabric of the community where he was born and grew up. He wanted people to feel safe, included, and loved. He devoted his life to that idea, and in D.A.R.E. he found one vehicle for reaching many – a way to help kids live safe and healthy lives, a way to help law enforcement agencies connect with their communities, and a way to help officers find meaning in their work higher than chasing bad guys. I celebrate his commitment to that, and how I wish he’d had longer.

RETRO BILL also directed and starred in the Award-Winning “D.A.R.E. Safety Tips starring RETRO BILL” video, which has been utilized by D.A.R.E. Officers Worldwide since 2001, and remains a HUGE HIT with Grades K-5 students in every classroom it is shown in to this day.

Due to Sheriff Jarrard’ s association with the Georgia DARE Association, the Association’s annual conference has been held the past several years in Lumpkin County and hosted by the Sheriff’s Office. In 2022, Sheriff Jarrard was asked to become the Executive Director for the Georgia DARE program, due to retirement of the previous President. He is passionate about providing every school in the Lumpkin County School System with a School Resource Officer. He himself even teaches DARE in the school system. In the summer months, in addition to the Jr. Law Enforcement Academy, School Resource Officers teach a driver’s education program. Sheriff Jarrard further strives to serve Lumpkin County by offering Hunter Safety courses, firearms classes for citizens, continuing the Citizen’s Law Enforcement program, and instituting the AT-EASE calling program (Assistance To Ensure A Safe Environment).

The Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Jarrard has continued to come in under budget each year and through housing inmates for other counties and agencies, has generated over 6 million dollars for Lumpkin County. Sheriff Jarrard continues to support the GED program in the jail which has awarded over 60 GEDs in the past 5 years.

In June 2011, Sheriff Jarrard was awarded the Guardian of Ethics Award by Rotary Club of Dahlonega Sunrise.

In 2015, Sheriff Jarrard served as President of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes.

In July 2019, Sheriff Jarrard was President of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

In 2020, awarded the Partner in Education by the Lumpkin County School System.

In 2021, awarded Distinguished Local Elected Official Award by the Georgia 9th District GOP.

In 2021, awarded Pioneer in Education Award by Pioneer Resa.

Boards:

• GA Department of Corrections Board Member
• Child Fatality Review Board
• Enotah Family Drug Court Foundation
• Georgia Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors
• Georgia Sheriff’s Association Youth Homes Board of Directors
• Lumpkin County Family Connection
• No One Alone: Domestic Violence
• South Enotah Child Advocacy Center
• Georgia Department of Family and Children Service
• Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
• Rainbow Children Home Board of Directors