Red Ribbon Week: The best me is drug free
By Ryann Citro-Hough and Katie King - October 18, 2013
This week at South Bay, students have the chance to dress up, have fun, and celebrate being drug free.
October 21 through 25 is Red Ribbon Week at South Bay School and across the country. At our school, celebrations include dress up days, lunchtime games, and opportunities for grade levels to earn points and rewards. Most important, it’s a reminder of the importance of staying drug free.
Red Ribbon Week is a drug prevention program that began in 1988. In 1985, a Drug Enforcement Agency--they are the government department in charge of dealing with drugs in the United States--agent named Enrique Camerena was tortured and killed in Mexico. To honor his contribution to creating a more drug-free world, friends, family, and supporters began wearing red ribbons. A few years later, red ribbon week was born as a national event to promote drug awareness and prevention among young people.
The Leadership elective is hosting Red Ribbon Week. They chose this celebration because “The Leadership class thought that having a Red Ribbon Week not only would be fun for the students, but also was a chance to get out a message of staying drug free,” said Kristine Van Vleck, the Leadership elective teacher.
All middle school students will have the chance to write their names on a paper red ribbon and hang it on a poster to show that they have pledged to stay drug free.
“Students can make a pledge and encourage their friends and classmates to do the same, thereby building a foundation for a drug-free life and a safer community,” said Mrs. Van Vleck.
This elective helps middle school students become leaders by teaching them to come up with plans, speak up, along with helping them stand up and take charge. They also help with things around school.
Sabrina Lane, Caitlyn Nolen, Alexandera Pena, Nolan Williams, Emily Ayala, Estrella Huerta, Madison Guirado, and Elayna Kuster. “Leadership team is awesome, cool, amazing, and so much fun,” Caitlyn says. “It can sometimes be stressful but a lot of fun.”
Mrs. Van Vleck says she hopes the students in the class “learn to speak in front of people, propose a plan and carry it out, and understand leadership.”
To learn more about Red Ribbon Week, visit http://redribbon.org/.
October 21 through 25 is Red Ribbon Week at South Bay School and across the country. At our school, celebrations include dress up days, lunchtime games, and opportunities for grade levels to earn points and rewards. Most important, it’s a reminder of the importance of staying drug free.
Red Ribbon Week is a drug prevention program that began in 1988. In 1985, a Drug Enforcement Agency--they are the government department in charge of dealing with drugs in the United States--agent named Enrique Camerena was tortured and killed in Mexico. To honor his contribution to creating a more drug-free world, friends, family, and supporters began wearing red ribbons. A few years later, red ribbon week was born as a national event to promote drug awareness and prevention among young people.
The Leadership elective is hosting Red Ribbon Week. They chose this celebration because “The Leadership class thought that having a Red Ribbon Week not only would be fun for the students, but also was a chance to get out a message of staying drug free,” said Kristine Van Vleck, the Leadership elective teacher.
All middle school students will have the chance to write their names on a paper red ribbon and hang it on a poster to show that they have pledged to stay drug free.
“Students can make a pledge and encourage their friends and classmates to do the same, thereby building a foundation for a drug-free life and a safer community,” said Mrs. Van Vleck.
This elective helps middle school students become leaders by teaching them to come up with plans, speak up, along with helping them stand up and take charge. They also help with things around school.
Sabrina Lane, Caitlyn Nolen, Alexandera Pena, Nolan Williams, Emily Ayala, Estrella Huerta, Madison Guirado, and Elayna Kuster. “Leadership team is awesome, cool, amazing, and so much fun,” Caitlyn says. “It can sometimes be stressful but a lot of fun.”
Mrs. Van Vleck says she hopes the students in the class “learn to speak in front of people, propose a plan and carry it out, and understand leadership.”
To learn more about Red Ribbon Week, visit http://redribbon.org/.