Red Ribbon Days at
Parkway Southwest Middle

Twelve-year-old Cassidy Smith was one of the Parkway Southwest Middle School kids who helped put on the Red Ribbon Days program last month. But, she said she's taken that anti-drug message to her home too.

The 7^th-grader said she's gotten her parents to quit smoking. "It was easier for my mom to quit because she hadn't been smoking as long as my dad," Cassidy said.

In October, St. Louis area kids join with others from across the country to rally against tobacco, alcohol and other drug usage. The official Red Ribbon Days time was this year was October 25-31.

At Parkway Southwest Middle, there was something going on every day of the week to emphasize the kids' anti-drug messages.

A committee of 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade kids worked with health teacher Mimi Holder to prepare for the program.

Cassidy Smith said she helped to cut ribbon material so each kid in school would have a red ribbon to wear. She was helping to decorate homemade "drug-free" bags that the nearby Dierberg's store used to bag groceries for customers during the week.

Cassidy played trumpet when the school band played a special concert during lunch hour.

Eleven-year-old Natasha Veanson was in one of the lunch-hour concerts also. The 6th grader and a classmate sang a duet in the school commons area.

Natasha said she was glad to get a chance to perform because she wants to be a professional when she grows up. "I've been in choirs before but this was the first time I performed solo," she said.

Before the actual Red Ribbons Day activities, Natasha helped make posters to be hung around the school.

Eighth-grader Rebecca Clay had a hand in painting a big banner which was hung in the school. The banner said, "Don't Do Drugs; Reach for the Sky."

Thirteen-year-old Rebecca said she had participated in Red Ribbon Days in the past. But, this was the first year she'd been on a committee to plan the event.

She said being a part of the anti-drug advocacy committee was good training for the future. She said she hopes to run for political office when she grows up.

Rebecca said her interest in politics started four years ago. "I really got into it during the 2000 elections," she said.

Twelve-year-old Eric Dobbins is another kid on the Red Ribbon Days planning committee that sees some connection with his future career.

The 6^th grader said he hopes to go into law enforcement as a career. "Cops have important jobs and I want to do something that is important," he said.

Besides helping in preparing Red Ribbon Days, Eric was a violinist in a noon concert by the school's orchestra.

Eleven-year-old Nasta Dambrouskaya played a clarinet in the school band's concert. Before the Red Ribbon Days events, she helped make the individual ribbons and made posters.

About the message for Red Ribbon Days, she said her favorite slogan is: "Drugs make you cool….BUT with the wrong people."

She said her father has smoked but "I have allergies so he doesn't smoke around me."

At Parkway Southwest Middle, there was a special dress code for each day.

For instance, Monday, Oct. 25, was RWB day. That's when kids were urged to wear costumes with red, white and blue. The slogan for Tuesday was "Tie One on Against Drugs" and kids were to wear ties.

On Wednesday, the color of the day was red. On Thursday, they were supposed to "Put a Cap on Drugs." That meant they were to wear a hat or cap.

On Friday, sporting team jerseys were the clothes of the day. They went with the slogan "Team Up Against Drugs."

Health teacher Mimi Holder said the school will have a number of other health-related programs during the school year. They include "The Great American Smokeout," AIDS awareness and "Kicking Butt Day," another anti-smoking rally.

Natasha Veanson said she's looking forward to participating in other school events. She said she likes to have special activities for her Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

She said she was glad her teachers appointed her to Red Ribbon Days. "I thought it would be fun," she said.