Today marks the start of Red Ribbon Week, which will take place until Thursday, Oct. 31.
Andrea Fascetti, freshman secretary, said Red Ribbon Week matters to her.
“It’s important to me because we really just need to get the word out,” Fascetti said. “Drugs are so bad, and can really hurt a lot of people.”
Fascetti decided to show her support of Red Ribbon Week with her outfit.
“I just saw the email to wear red, and because of the cause, I definitely made sure to wear red,” Fascetti said.
Kara Zonies, math teacher, sponsors Student Council (STUCO) and is overseeing Red Ribbon Week events.
“Being a teenager, you think that you’re invincible and that nothing bad will ever happen to you,” Zonies said. “But, how many kids do we know that have become addicted or had bad reactions to drugs?”
Zonies purchases posters and prizes for Red Ribbon week. She also said that STUCO will create a pledge for students to sign and get rewards for if they say they will stay drug free.
Sophomore Principal Dr. Rick Regina also tries to be involved in Red Ribbon Week.
“In my role, other than wearing red, we encourage the staff to wear red and on Thursday I’ll incorporate some Trivia Thursday questions that encompass Red Ribbon Week,” Dr. Regina said.
Outside of Red Ribbon Week, Dr. Regina said that administration works to encourage a drug-free environment.
“We have conversations with students, and there are resources available for parents and students that we put out through ParentSquare or we have some seminars here that we offer,” Dr. Regina said.
Dr. Regina said he wants to make students aware of the dangers of drug use.
“These students are young, and I know a simple bad decision can have exponential effects, whether that’s doing something behind the wheel of a car or being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Dr. Regina said.
Junior Nick Dragnev, STUCO president, said he is looking forward to handing out prizes throughout the week.
“I like handing out stuff because it’s kind of fun to give back to the community and I think it’s just an effective way for people to be encouraged to participate in Red Ribbon Week,” Dragnev said.
Dragnev said Red Ribbon Week reminds him of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.).
“Back in D.A.R.E. in elementary school, I thought it was always really interesting to learn about some of the aspects of staying drug free,” Dragnev said. “Red Ribbon Week is just kind of a continuation of that stuff, and I think it’s always great to give people information.”
