"Red Ribbon Week" was recently observed at LCES, LCMS, and LCHS, with a variety of fun and thought provoking activities. The purpose of the annual celebration is to encourage children and adults to live drug and violence-free lives. Pictured here is a poster created by Julia Leverett's fifth-grade class at LCES. The poster went on to win the "Drug-Free Door Decoration Contest" for grades four and five. As part of the drug awareness curriculum, faculty, staff, and students at LCES, LCMS, and LCHS, assisted by Lincoln County Family Connection, observed "Red Ribbon Week" October 23-31.

The National Red Ribbon Campaign begin in 1985, following the death of Enrique Camarena, a federal drug enforcement agent who was tortured and killed in the line of duty by drug traffickers in Mexico. The campaign is designed to encourage individuals to make a personal and public commitment to healthy, drug-free and violence free living.

In observance of Red Ribbon Week, students at LCES participated in the following activities:

.. The students were entertained and inspired by former Globetrotter Michael Douglas, founder of the Michael Douglas Youth Foundation.

Douglas has traveled to over 100 countries, entertaining crowds, sharing a positive attitude, and embracing diversity. The foundation's mission is to assist communities in providing activities that are fun, educational, and promote a model of healthy living.

.. "Pledge Day" - - Students signed pledges to live drug-free lives.

.. "Red Ribbon Spirit Day" - - Students wore as much red as possible, from head to toe, in support of Red Ribbon Week and of course, the Red Devils.

.. "Wristband Day" - - The students received red, drug-free wristbands, compliments of the American Legion Post 194 Ladies Auxiliary.

.. "Can Drugs Day" - - In a show of overwhelming support, students donated a total of 1,363 cans of food to the Lincoln County Food Pantry in preparation for the holiday season. Topping out at 125, Paul Reviere's third-grade homeroom class collected the most cans for the drive.

In recognition of their accomplishment, the students will be treated to an ice cream party, hosted by Family Connection.

.. "Hats Off to Being Drug Free" - - Students wore their wildest, wackiest hats to school.

.. Each homeroom class participated in a "Drug-Free Door Decoration Contest." The winners were:

Pre-Kindergarten — Mildred Wright's class.

Kindergarten and First Grade — Beth Beggs' Class.

Second and Third Grades — Pam Norman's second-grade class.

Fourth and Fifth Grades — Julia Leverett's fifth-grade class.

These students will also be rewarded with an ice cream party.

.. "Give Drugs the Slip Day" - - Students were especially comfortable at school, gliding around in their bedroom slippers all day.

"Our students really enjoyed Red Ribbon Week," stated Lindsay Dunn, guidance counselor at LCES. "The week was full of learning, creativity, and even a little fun. The students learned a lot and hopefully, will be able to apply that knowledge. Our goal was to raise everybody's awareness of the importance of living drug free."

She went on to thank Family Connection for helping to make the week such a wonderful experience.

LCMS kicked off Red Ribbon Week with "Ribbon and Pledge Day," with students donning red ribbons and pledging to lead drug-free lives. The pledge cards were displayed on the bulletin board in the school cafeteria.

Other activities included:

.. The students took part in a poster contest, using "Fight Drug Abuse" as the theme.

The first-place winner of the contest was sixth-grader Mitchell Beale. He and the other winners received a gift certificate from Papa's Pizza.

.. "Can Drugs Day" - - Students collected over 200 cans of food for the local food pantry. The winners of the canned food challenge were the students in Jan Bruns' sixth-grade homeroom. They will be honored at an ice cream sundae party, sponsored by Family Connection.

.. "Wear Red Day" — The students were decked out in all of their red finery to show their school spirit as well as make a statement about their commitment to drug-free living.

.. "Fight Drugs Day" - - The students wore camouflage to school and watched the anti-drug film "W.A.R. Against Drugs."

"The week was definitely a success," said Dionne Mills, guidance counselor at LCMS. "We had great participation every day, and a good reaction to the anti-drug video. I was impressed."

In other comments, she thanked Family Connection for its support and the teachers "for encouraging their students to take part in the week's activities."

The theme for Red Ribbon Week at the high school was "Stand Up; Stand Out Against Drugs."

Among the various activities held during the week were:

.. "Block Out the Light; Do What's Right Day" - - Students were asked to wear their coolest pair of sunglasses to school.

.. "We're Too Bright for Drugs Day" - - The students wore brightcolored T-shirts to school.

.. "We're Too Clean for Drugs Day" - - The students came to school dressed for success.

.. "Multiplicity Day" - - Groups of students and teachers dressed alike to show there is power in numbers.

.. "Don't Get Caught Red-Handed Day: Make Wise Choices" - - Students wore red to school to support a drugfree lifestyle as well as the Red Devils.

.. Students viewed the video, "Enduring Regret," the story of Chris Sandy, who killed two people while driving under the influence of alcohol.

At LCHS, Red Ribbon Week was sponsored by the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) organization.

"I hope our students will make wise decisions as a result of participating in Red Ribbon Week," said Regina Reid, SADD advisor. "We want to thank the staff at Family Connection and all of the others who worked hard to make the week a success."

Serving as SADD advisors along with Reid are Brittany Barden and Jerri Tutt.

The first National Red Ribbon Week was proclaimed by the United States Congress in 1988, with First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as chairman.