Red Ribbon Week

The past two weeks have been incredibly busy as schools honor Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is a week strictly focused on a visible commitment for a drug-free America. Schools across the nation wear red, plan activities, and schedule speakers during this time to truly stress and celebrate a drug-free healthy lifestyle.

The week of October 26, I spent my time in two different areas. Tuesday, my birthday, and Wednesday, I was in McPherson, Kansas. I spoke to four elementary schools, the middle school, and Inman High School. The two days were packed with speaking engagements but were all exciting and interesting. In the two short days in McPherson alone, I spoke to over eight hundred students about how I chose a drug-free lifestyle and how it has made all the difference.

Thursday I was in Lansing, Kansas, a town just north of my hometown of Lenexa and just south of Leavenworth. As I arrived at Lansing Middle School I was greeted by a sixth grader who was so star-struck by my appearance at his school that when he hugged me his entire book bag fell all over the floor. We quickly picked up his things as even more students greeted me. These kids were probably the most excited bunch I have had thus far. I was interviewed by the school paper and was the feature of a school broadcast news class segment. 

This week was a great experience for me and hopefully for all the students. I had lunch with some cousins later that weekend and they asked me what I did this past week. It felt so amazing to simply say that I was in two different areas, spoke to six different schools and over a thousand students about not choosing drug, alcohol, or tobacco. That alone was pretty rewarding to say and I can’t wait for more weeks just like it!! eekend and they asked me what I did this past week.  It felt so amazing to simply say that I was in two different areas, spoke to six different schools and over a thousand students about not choosing drug, alcohol, or tobacco.  That alone was pretty rewarding to say and I can’t wait for more weeks just like it!!