Red Ribbon Week October 24-27, 2011
by Steffani Perry
October 13, 2011
USD 218 schools will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week Monday, October 24th thru Thursday, October 27th. This is a national drug awareness celebration that began in 1985 in honor of D.E.A Agent, Enrique Camarena. Camarena was working undercover in Mexico to gather information on local drug traffickers when his identity was discovered and he was abducted, tortured, and killed. Friends and family of Camarena organized clubs, and members pledged to live drug free in honor of the fallen agent and others like him. These clubs promoted the wearing of red ribbons as a symbol of the fight against drugs, and in 1988, the U.S. Congress proclaimed the national event now known as Red Ribbon Week.
The EHS and EMS Student Councils will be sponsoring events in all three schools. Activities have been provided to the elementary teachers to use in their classrooms, and the high school will focus on the dangers of alcohol and will have a presentation by an officer from the Kansas Highway Patrol on Monday. The high school will also hold its annual food drive as part of the week’s activities. High school students may be visiting homes throughout the week to “Trick-or-Treat” for cans. We would appreciate donations of any canned or non-perishable goods to be donated to the Ministerial Alliance food pantry. The class that collects the most cans will receive a pizza party sponsored by STUCO.
Prizes will be awarded to students who wear their red ribbons or dress according to the designated theme for the day. The daily themes are as follows:
Monday, Oct 24th - “Use Your Head, Don’t do Drugs” (Crazy hair day)
Tuesday, Oct 25th - “Smarties Don’t do Drugs” (Nerd day)
Wednesday, Oct 26th - “Give Drugs the Boot” (Western day)
Thursday, Oct 27th - “Team Up Against Drugs” (Team day- clothing and/or hats supporting your favorite college, pro, or high school team)
EHS STUCO would like to see the community get involved in this important awareness program by having local businesses and churches display anti-drug messages on their windows and marquees. If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please call Steffani Perry or Terri Houtz at 697-2193. Thanks for your support and remember: JUST SAY NO!
