Pubdate: Sun, 21 Oct 2001
Source: Laredo Morning Times (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Laredo Morning Times
Contact:  http://www.lmtonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1140
Author: Diana De La Garza

RED RIBBON PARADE HELD AT NYE

In celebration of Drug Awareness Month, Nye Elementary kicked off the 
ribbon parades Friday afternoon.

Dressed in bright red costumes, the color of the anti-drug campaign, 
students proudly marched around the campus promoting their anti-drug message.

"All year, we are teaching students about the importance of being drug 
free, and this parade helps them to be enthusiastic about it," Nye 
Elementary Principal Irma Flores said.

By wearing costumes of cowboys, music notes and hippies, the Nye Elementary 
students and teachers displayed various themes promoting the drug-free 
campaign.

Among the many classes in the event were the fourth and fifth graders of 
Sonia Morales.

Holding paper card music notes, the students chanted a "Just Say No Song" 
as they marched.

"This parade helps to promote that in daily life students have to be drug 
free," Music teacher Sonia Morales said. "It is important that students 
don't lose focus on this issue and that they make sure that this is a fight 
that must be continued each day."

According to Morales, getting students involved in anti-drug activities and 
stressing their importance is essential during the elementary years because 
they are less exposed to peer pressure.

"It is important that students learn about being drug free in elementary 
because once they get to junior high or high school the message is harder 
to get across," Morales said.

The parade was the first of many to come throughout the month as most local 
schools will sponsor one.
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MAP posted-by: Beth