Pubdate: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 Source: Register Citizen (CT) Copyright: 2007 Register Citizen Contact: http://www.registercitizen.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/598 Author: Kevin D. Roberts Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) HINSDALE STUDENTS LEARN TO SAY 'NO' TO DRUGS WINSTED - Scores of young smiling faces pledged to stay away from drugs at a Red Ribbon Week ceremony held at Hinsdale Elementary School on Monday morning. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country and serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of a drug free American, according to the Web site www.imdrugfree.com. This is the second year that Hinsdale has held a Red Ribbon ceremony, principal Deborah Alduini said. "This is a very important week for everyone," Alduini said. Throughout the week, students will be receiving valuable information about living a healthy life devoid of drugs, she said. The school's student choir sang "Circle of Friends" as music specialist Jeanine Levendale played a small piano. The students' enthusiasm reigned throughout the entire event, even drowning out Marine Corps veteran Arthur Melycher as he led everyone who gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance. The president and vice president of the school's three-year-old student council spoke about how Red Ribbon Week began and how students could make a pledge to be drug free by signing a red ribbon which hangs inside of Hinsdale. Red Ribbon Week commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by federal Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who died at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle against illegal drugs in 1985, according to the Web site. "I know you know how special this day is and how special you are," Mayor Maryann Welcome said before reading a proclamation. A red bracelet was given to community members, including doctors, teachers, parents, businessmen, bankers, town and school officials, police, fire and emergency, among others. Afterward, community members helped a student plant a tulip to symoblize the commitment to a drug free community. Debbie Angell of the Winsted Elks told the children that there will be some people who will try to get them to take drugs. "Never ever do something that you think is wrong," Angell said. "When you take a drug, you fry your brain like you fry an egg." Angell encouraged students to get into their studying and stay drug free. School board chairman Rose Molinelli told the students that like their adult peers, they too have responsibilities. The chorus then sang "I'll Make a Difference." Sgt. Major Len Dube and members of the State of Connecticut Department Military Funeral Squads helped celebrate the festivities and got the childrens' attention with a salute. When the rifles were fired into the air, some students had their fingers in their ears while others laughed and said "whoa." The Gilbert School marching band also performed a few sounds, including a rocking version of "Blast." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek