Support for healthy choices

Forrest Elementary School celebrated Red Ribbon Week last week as a call to action to speak out in support of healthy choices. It was also a reminder to all that by staying drug free, students send a message to themselves and others about how much you value yourself, your health, your community and your future.

On Oct. 18, Wasco Rose Queen Elisa Flores opened a Red Ribbon Week kickoff rally with the Wasco High School cheerleaders performing for the students.

The rally fun began with a pie-eating contest, resulting in faces coated with whipped cream.

Red Ribbon Week is celebrated the last part of October every year. According to the National Family Partnership, it is a way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs.

"Forrest Elementary will do this by wearing a bracelet to demonstrate that alcohol and drug addiction is not the proper solution to life," Principal Oscar Luna said. "Now is the time to say no to drugs."

Forrest Elementary has scheduled two weeks of different slogans for the day as well as several activities the students can participate in.

Oct. 23 was Unity Day, where students were asked to wear orange to display unity with all. On Oct. 24 students were recognized under the theme "Be a Genius, Say No To Drugs" and celebrated the nerd in everyone by wearing plaid and nerd gear. (Bracelets were given to each student). and Friday, Oct. 25 was Spirit Day when students wear their class colors.

Red Ribbon Week continues through Friday.

On Monday, students focused on "Follow your Dreams, Don't Do Drug," wearing pajamas to school if they wanted to. On Tuesday, students said "peace out" to drugs and could wear peace signs/tie dye/'70s apparel, while on Thursday students could sport crazy hair to illustrate "Use Your Head, Don't Do Drugs." Friday is Spirit Day,where students wear their class colors.