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Codington County Drug Court held a commencement ceremony for three graduates on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Codington County Courthouse.
The three graduates were Dylan Bethke, Wakiya Two Hearts and Emily Raczynski.
Before the ceremony began, Circuit Court Judge Carmen Means spoke about the program, going over the goals it seeks to help participants accomplish. Namely, building a life without addiction and learning how to choose sobriety over vice.
The program has been active for 10 years now and graduated 64 people so far with Bethke, Two Hearts and Raczynski being numbers 62, 63 and 64, respectively.
Michelle Harrington, when introducing her son, Bethke, said “Addiction is a sneaky, greedy beast. It always wants to control you.”
Following that, she said she was immensely proud of her son, saying, “Sobriety is a choice only the addicted can make for themselves. You chose to be sober. You chose to come home.”
She also said she watched how the program transformed her son into the father she knew he could be.
Bethke has 756 days of sobriety under his belt and 240 negative urine tests.
“I look forward to the future,” he said. “I no longer fear it.”
Gabriel Reese, Two Hearts’ son, said while introducing his mother, “The past doesn’t define who you are.”
Then when Two Hearts’ accepted her certificate, she said the program helped her become the best version of herself she could possibly be. Furthermore, she said the biggest and most meaningful change in her life was that she is now someone whom her boys can depend on.
Two Hearts has been sober for 539 days and has had 150 negative urine tests.
“I’m not afraid to choose peace over chaos because I know my worth,” she said.
The final graduate, Raczynski, was introduced by her mother, who said it was initially very difficult for her and her daughter’s kids to watch the cycle of addiction their loved one was trapped in, but now they are incredibly happy and proud to have “the old Emily” back. The family said the program helped give Raczynski the tools she needed to stay sober.
Raczynski is celebrating 237 days sober and 126 negative urine tests.
“I have learned never to give up,” she said. “My daughters are a driving force for me to stay sober.”
Dylan Bethke’s son, Blaine, helped Judge Carmen Means introduce the treatment court program. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Michelle Harrington introduces her son, Dylan Bethke, before he accepted his medal and certificate. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Judge Means awards Dylan Bethke with a medal. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Gabriel Reese, Wakiya Two Hearts’ son, introduced his mother during the ceremony. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Judge Means shakes Wakiya Two Hearts’ hand after awarding her with a medal. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Robin Davalos gives a brief introductory speech for her daughter, Emily Raczynski. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Emily Raczynski holds up her certificate while Judge Means applauds with the crowd. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
Courtroom 222 was packed during the ceremony. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
The ceremony included a custom cupcake cake. Photo by Tucker Hermans, Watertown Current.
