ANAHEIM, CALIF. (October 23, 2009) Between October 19th and October 23rd, the cadets of St. Catherine’s Military Academy celebrated Red Ribbon Week, the largest and oldest national campaign to prevent drug use. The week’s events varied from the informative to the entertaining to the…tasty?
“Red Ribbon Week is time for students to pledge to live a safe and drug-free life,” said Patty Curry, a 7th grade teacher who helped planned the events of Red Ribbon Week. “We wanted to make this week memorable and impactful because it sends a message to the students about how important this pledge is.”
Students kicked off the week with a presentation on the origins of Red Ribbon Week, including the story of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, the Imperial Valley DEA agent whose tragic death was the catalyst for Red Ribbon Week.
On Tuesday, DEA agents based in Santa Ana arrived on campus, via helicopter and unmarked police vehicles, to talk do students about drug prevention and the work of the DEA. Anaheim police officer R.J. Young also brought his canine partner Bruno to campus for a demonstration.
On Thursday, kindergarteners performed a rendition of Cool It Down by New Edition, which expressed the importance of staying drug free and offered advice on how to deal with stressful situations that could lead to drug use. Later that day, classes attended grade-level presentations by the OC Sherriff’s Office.
On Friday, students enjoyed red popsicles to celebrate a successful Red Ribbon Week and their personal pledges to stay drug free.
Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug-free lives with the ultimate goal being the celebration of a drug-free America.
St. Catherine’s Military Academy, founded in 1889 by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, is an independent Catholic school with a military tradition for boys in grades kindergarten to 8th grade. The key components of the St. Catherine’s program are challenging academics focused on the specific learning needs of boys and young men, spiritual development under the nurturing care of the Dominican Sisters, and a structured military program that builds confidence and develops leadership skills. The school offers both day and boarding opportunities.
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