Stevenson Elementary students showed their commitment to a drug free lifestyle during Red Ribbon Week sponsored by the PTSO Oct. 22-26.

Hide Caption (Use arrows above to view more photos)

The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs.

The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug free America.

The events started on Oct. 22 with opening ceremonies by the U.S. Customs color guard. On Oct. 23 they had U.S. Customs presentation with their K-9 unit.

The Douglas Rangers, Douglas Police Department and GIITEM held their presentations on Oct. 24.

U.S. Border Patrol did their presentation on Oct. 25, and Sgt. Jose Duarte from the DPD explained the dangers of smoking on the same day.

On the last day of Red Ribbon Week, Stevenson students were encouraged to create “Say no to drugs” posters that were judge by ELD Coach Corinna Moen, Math Coach Anna Maria Manjarres and Reading Coach Ana Louisa Martinez.

The winners of the poster contest were: tied for first place, first grade class Ms. Aguirre and fifth grade class Mrs. Rose; tied for second place, kindergarten classroom Ms. Elias and second grade class Ms. Smith; Mr. Hoffman’s fifth grade class won third place.

Both winners of first place will get a pizza party and both winners of second place will receive a popcorn party. The third place classroom will receive a popsicle party.

All activates for the week were planned and sponsored by the Stevenson PTSO.

Stevenson students all participated in a Halloween trunk or treat on Friday, Oct 26.

According to the National Family Partnership, children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.