Students at Fassett Middle School in Oregon took a brief respite from their regular lessons in readin’, writin’ and ‘rithemetic Oct. 30 to show their commitment to living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

As part of Red Ribbon Week activities, the students participated in a Walk Against Drugs. Before the walk, 38 students, parents and teachers ran in a 5K event.

The walk, sponsored by Youth to Youth, started at 12:30 p.m. and was led by Youth to Youth members carrying banners. About 550 students were joined by parents, teachers, board of education members, the Oregon Police Chief and several police officers on the walk that ended at Pearson Metropark. Tana Schwier and Heather Umbaugh from Oregon Community and Family Coalition, along with five high school students from Clay that are OCFC board members also participated in the walk and helped with the hat judging.

To add to the fun, a crazy hat contest was held and nine prizes were awarded for the craziest hats with a drug-free message. Students also wore t-shirts and temporary tattoos with the message, “I’ve got better things to do than drugs.”

Upon arrival at the park, the walkers were treated to cider, donut holes, pretzel sticks, and candy. On the candy, Youth to Youth members had put a message, “Smarties Don’t Do Drugs.” The licorice twists carried the reminder that “Drugs Twist Your Mind.”

Prizes were awarded to the 5K race and hat contest winners. A “pep rally” was also held with students holding signs and chanting “Don’t Do Drugs.”

Other Red Ribbon Events included Crazy Socks Day, which reminded students to “sock it to drugs,” Inside Out Day (drugs turn you inside out), Sunglasses Day (shade out drugs) and a presentation by speaker Javier Sanchez, who injected his discussion about making wise choices with humor.

“Each day that a student participated in the planned activity he or she was awarded a sticker to wear,” said Diane Smith, Youth to Youth advisor. “These were given out in the cafeteria. Believe it or not the stickers were a big hit. The kids loved them.”

About 38 Fassett Middle School students, parents and teachers ran in a 5K race as a prelude to the annual Walk Against Drugs, held as part of the school’s Red Ribbon Week observance. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)

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