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Rota school celebrates Red Ribbon Week
As a way to promote better decision making, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja students on Rota joined other schools in Guam and the U.S. mainland, along with officers and staff from the Pacific Regional Training Institute’s Child, Youth, and School Services, in celebrating this year’s Red Ribbon Week activities scheduled for Oct. 21 to 31, 2014.
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- Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja administrator-principal Carmen H. Atalig poses with junior high students during the kickoff of Red Ribbon Week. The students were excited to pin a red ribbon on their school’s beloved leader as a promise to stay drug free. (Contributed Photo)
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- Even on a hot day, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja students showed their school spirit by displaying their banner in support of Red Ribbon Week. (Contributed Photo)
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- Third-grade students show their excitement during the kickoff of Red Ribbon Week. (Contributed Photo)
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- Second-grade student Titus Hugh Hocog and first-grade student Edward Maratita II show their support for Red Ribbon Week. (Contributed Photo)
The Red Ribbon campaign was started over 20 years ago when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent.
Camerena’s family, friends, and neighbors began wearing red ribbons to show their support and let everyone know they would continue his fight against illegal drugs and keep children safe.
According to school board president and PRTI regional director Capt. Edward Maratita Jr., “The campaign is a weeklong effort in which everyone at school and work get to show their support of being drug free by wearing a red ribbon that is used as a symbol of support to stay off drugs.”
Maratita encourages the Luta community to wear red ribbons during the week to promote substance abuse awareness, and find new and innovative ways to keep children drug free.
“The campaigns have been effective and students are made aware of how trying drugs can have severe consequences,” said Maratita.
At ESFDB, the week is held not only as a way to promote the drug-free lifestyle but also to encourage students to make better choices in all aspects of their lives.
“I am a strong advocate of a drug free lifestyle. Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity to focus on drug prevention and education, as well as to making a personal commitment to live healthy and drug free lives,” said administrator-principal Carmen H. Atalig. “Although there isn’t a small or huge drug problem in the school, but it’s something to keep an eye on.”
“Red Ribbon Week is another way to remind us of how important it is to make healthy choices,” said this year’s Red Ribbon Week student leader, Tyra Reese A. Calvo, 8th grade.
“We want our fellow students to always take time to think about any decisions regarding their health or making healthy choices. Red Ribbon Week is also about never letting anyone pressure you into doing something that isn’t healthy or safe,” added Calvo.
“It’s better to stay healthy and play basketball than to take illegal drugs. Illegal drugs are bad for your body,” said 8th grade student Joshua James Puerto.
PRTI regional commander Col. Jon Takamura said she’s glad that ESFDB students from Rota are celebrating Red Ribbon Week. “This is the ninth year ESFDB students have taken part in this nationwide drug prevention campaign. This annual awareness campaign features a variety of school and community-based programs, activities and events.”
The Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week on the last week of October.
Aside from Red Ribbon Week, Bully Prevention Month is also celebrated during the month.
The students would like to express their appreciation to the schools administration, faculty and staff, board of directors, parents, and the Pacific Regional Training Institute’s Child, Youth, and School Services (Guam/Hawaii). (ESFDB)
