Red Ribbon Week Event Planning Idea Blog: Second Prize - Eli Terry Jr. Middle School Terryville, Connecticut

At Eli Terry Jr. Middle School, Red Ribbon Week began with a Red Ribbon Rally. The rally included cheerleaders, the eighth grade band, and the school choruses. A drug enforcement agent spoke to the audience about keeping dreams alive by staying drug free. Then T-shirts, bracelets, and other prizes were thrown into the stands. At the beginning of the week, the school sent home a letter encouraging parents to emphasize anti-drug messages. Each day a flyer was sent home to help parents discuss substance abuse. Students signed pledge sheets to show their commitment; the sheets were arranged into a giant ribbon shape and displayed in the cafeteria. The students also had the opportunity to enter an essay contest, focusing on myths associated with drugs and alcohol. The local police department and its drug-sniffing dog did a presentation, as did the local ambulance corps and the National Guard helicopter crew. Students from a neighboring arts magnet school performed skits and led a discussion. Science teachers conducted lessons on the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and brain. Terryville’s “school to career” office provided businesses with ribbons and

2010 Red Ribbon Contest Winners

2010 Red Ribbon Week Contest Winners Our gratitude goes out to all who entered the 2010 Red Ribbon Week Contest. We congratulate the winners:

Elementary Schools

Grand Prize
San Jacinto Elementary School
Deer Park, TX

Second Prize
Westwood Elementary School
Friendswood, TX

Third Prize
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Jacksonville, FL

Honorable Mention
Central Elementary School
Beech Grove, IN

Middle/High Schools

Grand Prize
Piedmont Middle School
Piedmont, AL

Second Prize
Eli Terry Jr. Middle School
Terryville, CT

Third Prize
J.J. Wessendorff Middle School
Rosenberg, TX

Honorable Mention
Satsuma High School
Satsuma, AL

Look for your 2011 Red Ribbon Week Contest entry form in your Red Ribbon Week order. Your school/organization could become a prize winner, based on the originality of your activities, the extent of community involvement, and your creative use of products. The deadline for entry is December 1, 2011.

About Red Ribbon Week

This year marks the 21th anniversary of the first official celebration of Red Ribbon Week. The event has grown into the country’s largest anti-drug endeavor. Encouraging youngsters to turn away from drugs is still the main emphasis, but giving them the tools to make other healthy choices is now a component.

Red Ribbon Week came into existence as the result of the tragic death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Friends and family in his hometown of Calexico, California, started a movement to honor him. Camarena Clubs were formed in which members pledged to live drug free. A red ribbon became the symbol of this fight against drug abuse. Parent associations in other areas joined the fight and adopted the red ribbon. In 1988, the U.S. Congress proclaimed Red Ribbon Week.

Positive Promotions holds a contest to find outstanding celebrations. In 2008, entries came in from 46 states, giving the judges a lot to think about. Here we summarize the winners’ programs. We also present ideas from the other entries to help you have your best Red Ribbon Week ever!

About This Blog

During October, school and community leaders unite with the common goal of raising a generation of drug-free children who make healthy choices. The good news is that, thanks to creative approaches to anti-drug education, Red Ribbon Week has captured the attention of millions of young people throughout our country.

Positive Promotions works hard to produce an outstanding line of drug-prevention items. We also collect interesting celebration ideas from throughout the United States and present them here. Our goal is to make it easier for you to have your best Red Ribbon Week ever!

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Second Prize - Eli Terry Jr. Middle School Terryville, Connecticut