VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Police Department and Fire Department congratulate the 2015-2016 DEFY graduates.

DEFY consists of educating youth about team building, peer pressure, and the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The program lasts one year and begins with a one week summer camp (leadership phase) and continues for one Saturday each month for the rest of the year.

The program is open to children 8 to 11 years of age. DEFY is funded by the City of Valdosta. It is a program designed to educate our youth about the dangers of drugs and also gives youth lessons on life skills.

Mentors this year were from the Valdosta Police Department (VPD) and the Valdosta Fire Department (VFD).

If anyone is interested in next year’s program, which begins this summer, please contact Officer Vernotis Williams at (229) 292-7785.

Photo: Graduates and their mentors:

Bottom left to right: Jamesha Taylor; Calvin Burgman; Edrin Burgman; Christopher Greer Jr.

Middle left to right: Truth Miley; Jalin Ramsey

Top left to right: Malik Gray; Jachari Brown; Demetriyah Lane; Heaven Morgan

Not Pictured: Makayla Scruggs

Mentors: Shandora Gray; William Shirley; Vernotis Williams Sr.

Mentors not pictured: Maranda Williams and Chris Staples