Grand Prize

Madison Creek
Elementary School
Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Madison Creek Elementary celebrated Red Ribbon Week in a “sweet way.” The school created a life-size, interactive game called Drug Free Land, modeled after Candy Land. Oversized “candy canes” lined the walkway outside, huge “lollipops” decorated the lawn and a mural of the game hung above the front doors. More than 600 students pledged to stay away from drugs by signing and decorating paper cutouts of gingerbread men, which lined the entryway. Inside, the walls were covered in blue and green paper to resemble the background of Candy Land. Colored posterboard was used for the spaces in the game. Along this path, there were three unhealthy stops and three healthy stops. In each of these areas, students performed skits to teach game players about choices.

The first people to go through the game were judges of a countywide decorating contest. They arrived to find several hundred students, faculty, staff, and parents playing board games
in the parking lot, dressed in red and wearing Positive Promotions stickers. After the judges made their way through Drug Free Land, they ended up in the school’s gym, which had been transformed into Camarena’s Clubhouse. The clubhouse featured red balloons and a Positive Promotions banner. Red and white confetti came raining down, and students sang a song about being drug free. The school won the decorating contest.

Second Prize

Vineyard Elementary School
Templeton, California

The student body teamed up against drugs at Vineyard Elementary. The school held five dress-up days, with the last one involving uniforms from sports teams and other activities. Students signed football-shaped pledge cards and taped them to a paper goalpost in the cafeteria that read “It is our goal to be drug free.” Also, classrooms teamed up against each other in a poster contest. Winners received free bowling and a Jamba Juice party.

Throughout the week, special guests visited the school. Olympic
silver medalist Gina Miles shared her goals and encouraged everyone to stay away from drugs. Members of a college soccer team spoke about having a healthy lifestyle and entertained the audience with some fancy footwork. The team handed out mini kickballs from Positive Promotions. A sheriff’s deputy made an appearance and pulled the winning ticket in a drawing; he awarded the grand prize of a roller skating party as well as a Positive Promotions water bottle and high flyer disc. The high school’s football team taught the elementary children a rally chant and the cheer squad performed a drug free cheer. They said they couldn’t play football or be cheerleaders if on drugs.

Third Prize

Callahan Elementary School
Callahan, Florida

The theme at Callahan Elementary was “Making Strides To Lead A Drug Free And Healthy Lifestyle.” Giant footprints decorated the hallway floors. The footprints had anti-drug slogans, such as “Drugs Will Get You Nowhere.” Smaller footprints adorned the front entrance, water fountains and lunchroom windows. Students were advised to make footprints worth following. The week started with a school spirit assembly. The next day the school turned red; classes with 100% of students wearing red received Positive Promotions stickers and wristbands. For “Walk Away From Drugs Day,” students spent their 30-minute recess on the PE track. Some children participated in foot races while others counted their steps with pedometers. Everyone received “Drug Free: The Healthy Way To Be” bookmarks. Later in the week, students and teachers made more strides against drugs by marching in a character book parade.

Honorable Mention

Trinity Episcopal School
Houston, Texas

Due to the national elections, Holy Trinity chose red, white and blue for Red Ribbon Week. The school used “I Elect To Be Drug Free” ribbons and Uncle Sam “I Want You To Be Drug Free” posters, both from Positive Promotions. A student even dressed up as Uncle Sam to do daily announcements. One of the favorite events was “Dress-Up Your Teacher Day.” Students brought in red clothing and accessories to put on their teachers. The teachers’ outfits were judged and the “best dressed” were awarded Starbucks gift cards; their classes were given treats. Another day had the theme “Rock And Roll Drugs Away From This School.” Students wore 50s and 60s attire. The school also held a unique door decorating contest. The materials had to be recyclable, which sent the message that Holy Trinity is against drugs and for recycling.