Pam Dudding Contributing writer
The Craig County Public Schools broaden the horizons of their students by educating them of national events as well as what’s in the schoolbooks.
Red Ribbon Week, October 26 through the 29, was honored by offering K-12 students the opportunity to participate in the theme, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug-free.”
Principal Gerri VanDyke shared, “Students were asked to show how they are happy, brave and drug free. The committee wanted to see the student’s skills on what it means to be drug free which could be in the form of a poster, a dance, an essay, writing a song, a video, a poem, etc.”
Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent Enrique Camerena in 1985 who tragically was kidnapped, tortured and murdered.
Camarena had been working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico, for over four years. “His efforts led to a tip that resulted in the discovery of a multimillion-dollar narcotics manufacturing operation in Chihuahua, Mexico,” history states.
It is stated that Red Ribbon Week is an environmental strategy, which means “it does not just affect a small group but usually goes beyond schools, churches and other groups into the broader community.”
The goal of Red Ribbon Week is to increase awareness to the general public about the dangers of drug use as well as to encourage people to stay off drugs.
During the week, CCPS held daily events: Monday -“Give Drugs the Slip” – wear slippers and PJs, Tuesday – “Put a Lid on Drugs” – wear a hat, Wednesday – “Red Out” – wear red and Thursday – “Dress for Success” – dress up as your dream job.
VanDyke noted that, during art classes, the students worked on projects that were submitted to RAYSAC for the contest. They held prize drawings each day for daily winners in each classroom, and the school was decorated.
However, for obvious reasons, the Red Ribbon Week Candlelight Ceremony was virtual this year.
The entry deadline was November 4 and the awards were announced Tuesday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. Winners were later recognized at the School Board Meeting at a local level, and winners were forwarded to regional.
At the February School Board meeting, Superintendent Jeanette Warwick announced the regional winners as Principal Gerri VanDyke presented the them with a certificate and a cash prize.
“I want to remind everyone that these are the winners from our entire region including Roanoke City, Roanoke County and Salem. This is not just Craig County,” Warwick shared. “This is quite an accomplishment and we are very proud.”
This year’s Regional winners were:
- Grade 2 – 1st place Maya McAlwee and 2nd place McKenna Jones (unable to attend)
- Grade 4 – 3rd place Maggie Underwood (unable to attend)
- Grade 6 – 3rd place Blake Hannah
- Grade 7 – 3rd place Elliot Martin (unable to attend)
According to the United States DEA, Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug awareness and prevention program.
“I am so proud of you all,” VanDyke shared with each recipient as she presented their awards. “We have some very talented students in our schools.”
The student’s smiles were wide, though they had their masks covering their faces, as their eyes gleamed with joy.
