Red Ribbon Week is happening at OHS Oct. 20-25. It is used as a way to encourage students to stay drug free. Red Ribbon Week has been promoted by OHS SHOC members since the 1980’s. This year, OHS SHOC is hosting multiple events for students to participate in and gain more knowledge about staying away from drugs.
During the school year, OHS SHOC hosts many events; however, this is one of their biggest ways to promote making positive choices. Junior SHOC member Mickenzie Richer said, “This week not only educates individuals, families and the community, but it also brings people together.” This year OHS SHOC has 159 members and all strive to live and promote a healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs throughout the school year.
Senior OHS SHOC Officer Grace Thiele hopes that Red Ribbon Week will make a difference in the lives of students. She said, “I hope it impacts more students to be drug free, not just for this one week, but for the rest of the school year, just to try and help their health and overall make our school a better place.”
With an exciting week ahead, OHS SHOC will be decorating the commons with the colors of red and white for students to enjoy when returning to school after MEA break.
The first major event happening will be the Kick-Off Event held in the OHS Learning Commons on Oct. 21, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., where all are welcome to attend. The night will consist of games, prizes, snacks and a chance to honor the winners of the fourth grade poster contest.
This poster contest has a new theme each year that gives students a chance to create a poster that depicts the theme. This year the theme is “Life is a puzzle, solve it drug free.” The winners of the poster contest will also receive a special pizza party organized by OHS SHOC on Oct. 24, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
OHS SHOC adviser Ms. Nancy Williams said, “I really love the Kick-Off Event because we make such a big deal about those winners.” Williams can recall many students mentioning that the poster contest opened up students’ understanding of OHS SHOC and was a reason as to why they eventually joined later on as well.
During the week there will also be an opportunity to enter a contest to win many great prizes as well. OHS SHOC members will have a table set up to encourage students to sign a banner pledging to be drug free at all lunches Tuesday-Thursday. After signing the banner they will receive a bracelet that will offer many discounts to businesses listed on the discount cards around Owatonna when wearing the bracelet to each business during Oct. 20-25.
Richer said, “Being able to sign the banner during lunch feels very rewarding. And being able to encourage students around the high school to sign this banner is a blessing.” After signing the banner there will also be a bucket for students to enter their names for a chance to win a prize. Names will be announced over the intercom Tuesday-Thursday as well.
New this year, OHS SHOC will collaborate with OMS and YSHOC students on Oct. 23, after school to host a trivia event. This event will cover the effects of vaping, peer pressure, alcohol, mental health and physical health. They are hoping to encourage OMS students to continue on the drug free path.
Be on the lookout for what is to come Oct. 20-25. Red Ribbon Week can bring new knowledge to students and will promote living a healthy lifestyle.
