PTA President Elaine McCoy from Toll Middle School recently
surveyed students asking them to define Red Ribbon Week.
She was surprised to find many weren't aware of the origin.
Because many schools will be observing Red Ribbon Week this month, a
brief history of why we observe this might be helpful. This is a time
to focus on the harm of drugs and alcohol.
It came into existence because of a man named Enrique (Kiki)
Camarena who grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes of making a
difference. Camarena worked his way through college, served in the
Marines, became a police officer and decided to join the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration.
He was sent to Mexico to investigate a major drug cartel. One day,
as he was leaving the office to meet his wife for lunch, five men
appeared alongside of him and shoved him into a car.
One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He
had been tortured to death.
In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal
drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. A
coalition was formed as a result and red ribbons came to symbolize
Camarena's memory and his fight against drugs.
The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red
Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached
millions of U.S. children.
PTA has played a major role in this campaign and has chosen
October as the month to focus on the anti-drug message by designating
a Red Ribbon Week. This year, it will be celebrated the week of Oct.
21, and the theme is "Freedom is Drug Free -- Plant A Promise." Thank
you, Elaine McCoy, for the historical background.
HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL
Hoover had a great turn out for Back-To-School Night, according to
PTA President Doris Kouyias. Football team concessions were led by
Susan Yee, fourth vice president. Back-up chairwomen are Vickie
Bagwell and Marilyn Cucanello. All are invited to show support for
the junior varsity and varsity football team games.
TOLL MIDDLE SCHOOL
The eighth-grade Gifted and Talent Education group will sponsor
the Yosemite Information Night at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium.
All are invited to LaFamila Tech Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in
Room 131. School Site Council will meet at 3 p.m. Oct. 15 in Room
201. The Family Math Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 17 in Room 131
and Bungalows 4 to 8. Family Picnic night is from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18
in the back of the school. Family History Night is from 6:30 to 8
