When the students of Twin Hills arrived at school
on Monday, October 22, they found the building decorated with ribbons and
posters proclaiming the start of Red Ribbon Week. The first three
days of the week were spent developing a background in the need for healthy
choices as students explored the negative effects of drugs and alcohol
using the health curriculum as a guide, and their Red Ribbon Week pencils
to complete assignments. The older students also practiced refusal
skills, with an emphasis on saying “No!” and keeping friends. The
students proudly wore their “Too Cool To Do Drugs” ribbons.
On Thursday, under the direction of counselor Trycia
Borup, the student’s attention was turned to positive alternatives to drugs
and alcohol. Using the “101 Things to Do Instead of Drugs” as a guide,
students individually created their own lists. Titled “101 Things
to Do Instead of Drugs - Alaska Style,” the ideas were fresh and from the
hearts of our rural Alaskan children and teens. Including the healthy
ideas of fishing, dog mushing, picking berries, and more, the students
showed that they were able to use their energy toward positive and productive
endeavors.
The final day of the week was a true celebration
shared by the entire village. The students painted a 4’ by 4’ sign,
which both welcomed visitors to Twin Hills and emphasized the local option
law - no alcohol permitted. When the paint dried, the sign was carried
by two students as the leaders of the first parade ever in Twin Hills.
The remaining 10 students, ranging in age from four to 12, marched behind
playing rhythm instruments and chanting “Drug Free is the Choice for Me!”
The parade route, about 1/2 mile in length, led from the school through
the main street of the village an up the hill to the airport. The
sign was posted and the children sang their school songs for all to hear.
Upon returning to the school, residents of the
village joined the students for a potluck lunch, One parent stood
up to publicly thank the students for painting and posting the sign so
that all would know the law when they came to the village, Following
the lunch, a number of team building, cooperative games were played, and
the laughter of the students and parents alike filled the building.
All agreed that it had been a successful Red Ribbon Week, and would have
long lasting positive effects on everyone in the village.
