Students Support the Ribbon
Students participating in Red Ribbon week stand underneath the 2017 class mural. PAHS allowed students to wear their favorite team jersey or t-shirt on this day. Freshman Mason Major said, “I grew up a Bears fan and the reason I wore that specific jersey is because I’m inspired by players on the Bears team.”
Red Ribbon Week is part of the Red Ribbon Campaign whose mission is to keep people away from drugs and alcohol. At PAHS, students and faculty participate in themed “spirit days” to show their support of those who pledge to be drug-free. Red Ribbon Week runs from October 28th until November 1st.
Freshmen Meadow Selinko said, “This week is important and can spread positivity.”
Both students and teachers at PAHS participate in dressing to show support for the themed days. Dr. Ali Hobbs, a new teacher at PAHS, said, “I am grateful our school celebrates Red Ribbon Week. Drawing attention to staying drug and alcohol free supports our students to stay healthy or reach out for help.”
Mr. Carmen DiCello, an experienced teacher at PAHS, has supported this cause for many years. DiCello said, “Red Ribbon Week reminds us of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Drugs and alcohol have ravaged our communities and the lives of countless individuals. Red Ribbon Week is one way to fight back and to provide avenues by which we can help one another to live productive and wholesome lives.”
Monday’s theme asked participants to wear “a school appropriate t-shirt or polo in [their] favorite Lifesaver flavor color.” For this day, each student was also given a Lifesaver candy in homeroom to thank someone in their lives for being a “lifesaver”. The themes for the rest of the week can be found on the school website at www.pottsville.k12.pa.us.
Freshmen Chayleen Monroy said, “I think Red Ribbon Week is very important because it shows that we care for an amazing cause. I think everyone should wear a red ribbon to show how important this day is and to show we can work as a community. I would relate Red Ribbon Week to my step-mom because she has fought very hard to get away from drugs and people that support a great cause like this are the reason she has chosen to stop.”
Sophomore Michaela Chiao said, “By doing this at a young age, we will teach adolescents the correct choices, and how to make them. It’s all about the impact it has on every single person’s life.”