Red Ribbon winners named

By Sandy Morris

The 2020 “Red Ribbon Week” wrapped up on Friday, Oct. 29 at both Albany ISD campuses. 

The yearly event is sponsored locally by Albany ISD and the Albany Task Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, with support provided by several other state and local agencies. 

Red Ribbon Week began on Monday, Oct. 26, marking the 32nd straight year that the national event has been conducted locally.

NSES Events

Nancy Smith Elementary hosted a week of themed dress-up days for the students, as well as holding the annual drug-free poster contest. 

NSES counselor Susie Beard said there was great participation on the dress-up days.

“Each day the kids received drug-free items such as ribbons, pencils, tattoos, stickers, suckers, and bracelets,” said Beard.

NSES students did not have any special speakers come in for Red Ribbon Week because of COVID. Beard stated she presented a drug-free program during her guidance lessons during the month. 

“Every student signed a pledge card that we used to make a large red ribbon displayed in the hallway,” Beard said. 

Over 50 posters were submitted for the annual poster contest with the students competing for cash prizes from the Albany Drug Task Force, sponsor of the event. Posters were to promote the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. 

Poster winners by grade level were:

Pre-K, Head Start and kindergarten classes: 1. Daxton Lehew, 2. Oxton Hawkins, 3. Kate Bellah.

First and second grades: 1. Laramie Oliver, 2. Travis Hill, 3. Madison Swert.

Third and fourth grades: 1. Kalison Oliver, 2. Carly Kreitler, 3. Trevor Bellah.

Fifth and sixth grades: 1. Leah Glick, 2. Aubrey White, 3. Rylee Bennett.

Secondary Events

Secondary students also participated in Red Ribbon Week, with several themed dress-up days. 

Last year, students were tasked with coming up with strategies for social medium campaigns. 

This year, the contest returned to the previous door decorating contest. Fifth period classes decorated their classroom doors to tie into prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. 

The door decorating winners were:

1. Mrs. Turner’s 5th period class with “Jack Skeleton,” 2. Mrs. Bradford’s 5th period class with “Among Us,” 3. Mr. Davis’s 5th period class with “Brave,” 4. Coach Britting’s 5th period class with “Ghost Door.”

Doors were judged by members of the community, and the winner was announced at last week’s pep rally. 

Mrs. Turner’s students will receive a pizza party for winning the contest.