The true meaning behind Red Ribbon Week

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

p.m. Oct. 24 in Bungalow 6. For more information, call 244-8414, ext.

506.

BALBOA ELEMENTARY

The sixth-grade See’s Candy sale begins Monday for Tracks B and C.

PTA gift wrap fund-raiser orders will be delivered Oct. 15 for Tracks

B and C. The PTA board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 followed by

the PTA Assn. meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. There will be a

student free day for all tracks on Oct. 18. Red Ribbon Week begins

Oct. 21. Sixth-grade See’s Candy sale ends Oct. 21 for Tracks B and

C. Spirit Day will be at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 25. For more information,

call 241-1801.

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY

All are invited to join PTA. For more information, contact the

school office at 242-7722.

FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY

PTA’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Poetry readings will

be the featured entertainment. Franklin Fall Fiesta is Oct. 25. All

are invited to wear costumes. Ice cream sales continue every day

after school to help raise money for the fifth- and sixth-grade

spring field trip.

KEPPEL ELEMENTARY

The Mother Daughter Haunted Tea Party will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday. Tickets are $7 and on sale in the school office. The

65-member Drill Team will perform at the Days of Verdugo Parade at 10

a.m. Oct. 26.

* RITA PARDUE-FALLMAN’s column runs every third Saturday. She can

be reached by e-mail at rpardue@kkla.com or call 956-5552.