TOPEKA, Kan. — A Lindsborg middle school student has been named the winner of this year’s state D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) essay contest.

Taylor Hinderliter, a student at Smoky Valley Middle School, was named the winner of the statewide contest, which is coordinated by the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association.

During the past year, Hinderliter participated in the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program, which culminated in writing an essay about the things she learned in the program. Hinderliter is the daughter of Tom and Gail Hinderliter.

“Students who take part in the D.A.R.E. program learn valuable skills to resist the dangers of drugs and alcohol,” Attorney General Derek Schmidt said. “Taylor’s essay was an excellent example of the program’s success in teaching these skills to young Kansans. Congratulations to Taylor on her outstanding essay.”

The statewide D.A.R.E. program is coordinated by the Attorney General’s Office. More than 100 Kansas counties and communities have D.A.R.E. programs serving students in their areas. For more information on the Kansas D.A.R.E. program and to read Hinderliter’s winning essay, visit www.ag.ks.gov/dare.