Conkwright Middle School marks Red Ribbon Week

Conkwright Middle School recently celebrated Red Ribbon week with a variety of fun and educational activities.
Conkwright’s counseling department and Family Resource Center created a program that made the student’s aware of drug abuse, a serious problem facing our youth today.  
Activities included a school-wide art contest run by yearbook sponsor Daniel Ward. The students made artwork promoting a drug free life. The winning student, Shelby Stocker’s artwork,  with her button entitled “Do the Dougie, not the Druggie,” pointed out that there are many other things to do instead of drugs. The Dougie is a popular dance. The artwork was made into buttons that were distributed to the students and the student will also have a page dedicated to their designs in this year’s yearbook.
Each day they had drug awareness lessons taught throughout the building as well as a free-throw contest each morning. Principal Travis Earlywine participated in the shoot-out. Many kids showed up early to school just to see if they’d be picked to take their turn to pre-qualify for a 3-point shoot out that was conducted during an assembly, emceed by Ken Howard, Friday afternoon.
Each day was a different dress up theme, with Friday being: I’m a “Jeanius” I’m drug free. The students paid $1 to wear jeans. The proceeds went to a local charity, the ASAP organization. A $300 check was presented to ASAP representatives during the assembly.  Teachers also competed in a door decorating contest, with the winners receiving gift certificates. A candy jar guessing contest was conducted in the cafeteria every day with the winning student guessing the closest number.  
Academic team coach Melissa McDaniel coordinated a Jeopardy-like knowledge competition during the assembly. The cheerleaders, coached by Brandi Caudill, made up a drug free cheer to perform for their audience of peers.  
Conkwright also reached out to members of the community to help support the drug awareness campaign, for example Detective Brian Caudill from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office read the questions during the knowledge competition, quizzing the students over what they’d learned throughout the week.  
Aaron’s Sales and Lease’s mascot Lucky Dog portrayed by manager Mark Whiteside, helped rebound during the 3-point shoot out and presented the winning student, Jonathan Thurber, with a digital camera to show that there are benefits to remaining healthy and drug-free.  
All participants of various activities received drug-free gifts including T-shirts, backpacks, water bottles, bookmarks, bracelets, balls, pencils, and key chains with messages promoting a drug-free lifestyle.
The week was a success filled with fun, educational activities.