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SIXTH GRADERS RAISE NEARLY $16,000

Emporia sixth-grade students raised nearly $16,000 to support drug prevention programs in their schools and community this month.  Approximately 350 students participated in the 16th annual Walk to Be Drug Free on Oct.  6. 

Students from Lowther North Intermediate School and Sacred Heart School collected $15,790.44 for the walk, surpassing the goal of $14,000, according to Valerie Ringler, a literacy coach at Lowther North. 

Students in Vickie Dinkel and Stephanie Bosiljevac's classrooms were the top team, raising $2,705 as a group.  Students in Christina Lienemann and Cindy Hadicke's classrooms walked the most laps at Welch Stadium with an average of 21.4 per student.  These four classrooms will have an ice-cream party as a reward. 

Ringler said 69 students raised $100 or more and will get to spend an afternoon with Principal Brian Jordan at Sonic at a date yet to be determined.  Approximately 130 students received "Walk to Be Drug Free" t-shirts for raising $60 or more, and every student received a water bottle for collecting at least $30. 

The Walk-to-Be Drug Free is held each year at the sixth grade in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week.  Students sign a pledge to be drug free and collect donations for drug abuse prevention and education in the community.  Half of the money is donated to Emporians for Drug Awareness to support community programs.  The remaining money is used for student programs at the two schools.