Every October, for one week, schools and communities across the United States celebrate Red Ribbon Week. The goal of Red Ribbon Week is to raise awareness for a drug-free life and to encourage students to ask for help if they need it. Red Ribbon Week is more than just a message: it encourages us to live with wellness in mind and always prioritize making positive, safe choices.
Red Ribbon Week originated in 1985 when Officer Kiki Camarina was kidnapped and killed by drug traffickers. The University of Austin’s Addiction Research Institute says “to celebrate his life and pledge to live a drug-free life, friends and families of Officer Kiki Camarina started wearing red ribbons.” Now, this special week is celebrated in almost all high schools and middle schools across the country. At Cathedral, we have had specific spirit days and an all-school mass to celebrate drug-free lifestyles. We also had a speaker who was able to talk about his experience with meth and prison. He spoke about his life before drugs took over, everything he did, and how Jesus Christ saved him. He wants to help students and others not fall down the wrong path that he did and he wants every individual to succeed.
The You Are Loved club here at school mainly focuses on Red Ribbon week to spread awareness on always feeling loved at school. Sophia Nasrawi ‘27 and Parker Adamson ‘27 are the leaders of the club and have some things to say about the week.
Sophia says that “Red Ribbon Week is a reminder that no one should ever face their struggles alone.” Her main reason to help students is understanding that every teenager’s journey is different and healing and hope are always possible.
Parker also states that Cathedral “connects students with trusted organizations like Teen Challenge, Al-Anon, and Alateen to provide real resources for those struggling with substance abuse or affected by someone else’s addiction”.
You Are Loved is an outlet for Cathedral students and those who need support and help. “You are never too far gone, never too broken, and never beyond God’s love,” says Sophia. She wants others to feel safe and helped at her club.
Red Ribbon Week always helps remind us of the healthy choices we can make for our bodies that will help shape our future. By following our positive choices, we can show our strength against these substances. Together as a community, we can build courage and help those in need.
