Students celebrate healthy life choices with rally

Contest winners announced during the RES Red Ribbon Rally included, from left: Front--Elizabeth Long, Kaylee McClung, Jayger Harmon, Faith Fry, Sadey Underwood, Zane Wright and Jacob McMillon. Back--Makenna Speer, Zac McCluskey, Jada Bracken, Nicolas Mesa, Jerrica Stokes, Sarah Isom and Taylor Page. [Click to enlarge]

Rector Elementary School students gathered Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, in the school's multi-purpose room for a Red Ribbon Rally to celebrate their efforts during a week of drug awareness and education.

"This is a way for the students to celebrate healthy life choices and make good decisions that will help them in the future," said RES Gifted and Talented teacher and event coordinator Candy Williams.

The rally featured several guest speakers, who commended the young students on their efforts. RHS student council members Cole Thomas and Clinton Haley encouraged the youngsters to continue along a path of life without drugs.

"I want to go to college and get a good job," Thomas told the gathered students. "If I take drugs, I won't be able to do that."

Haley, a member of the Cougar football team, noted the importance of being healthy as an athlete.

"If you play sports, taking drugs can slow you down and keep you from being your best," he said.

Law enforcement officials were present to discuss the legal ramifications of drug use. Clay County Sheriff Gerald McClung and Rector Police Chief Glenn Leach reminded the students of the illegal nature of drug use.

"Most of the people in our jail right now are there because of drugs," McClung said. "They're there because of the bad choices they made. We want you to continue making the right choices about not using drugs. Drugs are something you shouldn't get involved with. I don't ever want to see any of our friends here today in jail because of drugs."

Leach talked about the students' importance to the community and beyond.

"What you're doing will make you a better citizen of Rector and the world," Leach said.

Leach also told the students that when people use drugs, they lose much of what made them unique.

Mayor Ron Kemp was the final guest speaker at the rally. He spoke to the students about making decisions and the impact it can have in life.

"It's not too early to begin making good decisions in your life," Kemp said.

Kemp pointed out that by deciding to be drug free, the students will be more likely to have an impact in other areas of their lives, such as sports, hobbies and other interests, as well as involvement in the community.

Students in each grade performed a chant at the rally, showing their dedication to Red Ribbon Week and its message.

Several contests also were held throughout the week.

Individual prizes were given to:

Coloring contest winners -- Elizabeth Long, Luke Miller and Kaylee McClung, kindergarten; Faith Fry, Jayger Harmon and Sadey Underwood, first grade.

Poster contest winners -- Zane Wright and Jacob McMillin, second grade; Zac McCluskey, Makenna Speer and Graci Patterson, third grade, and Nicolas Mesa and Jada Bracken, fourth grade.

Essay contest winners -- Jerrica Stokes and Sarah Isom, fifth grade, and Taylor Page and Connor Langille, sixth grade.

Winning the classroom banner contests were Sarah Rabjohn's first grade class, Jade Mount's second grade class and Susie McCarroll's sixth grade class.

The rally also featured performances by the RHS marching band, the peewee cheerleaders and a special visit by McGruff the Crime Dog.

"We're so proud of the students and how enthused they are to be making good choices," Williams said. "They've not only had a lot of fun this week, but also have taken big steps which will serve them well as they move forward in their lives."