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Two of the top officials in Dallas County were honored by the Educational Talent Search at Wallace Community College-Selma last weekend.

Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson and Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum each received plaques from Talent Search Director Corey Bowie for their stellar efforts to keep the area safe.

Bowie said the talent search has an agreement with Granthum and Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson to speak with area schools in the talent search for grades six through eight.

“Jackson and Granthum have been working with the talent search program to curb violence in Dallas County,” Bowie said. “We go to the schools and talk to them about good positive choices.”

Jackson said the local youth were warned about the consequences of committing crimes at a young age.

“Most of our recent murders in Dallas County have involved juveniles and minors,” Jackson said. “We told the kids at age 14 you can get sent to prison just like adults do. It’s a good program and the kids listened.”

Granthum praised Bowie for starting the program and urged the teenagers to avoid gangs to survive.

The talent search program serves the following high schools: Dallas County High School, Keith High School, Selma High School, Southside High School, Francis Marion High School and R.C. Hatch High School.

“We have people in the community making bad choices,” Granthum said. “We need to quit making poverty as an excuse.”