Ronan schools race to stay drug free
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RONAN — With more than 250 Ronan students running 2.5 miles to the Ronan Middle School and High School on the last day of Red Ribbon Week, the school’s message was clear — staying active is a good way to remain drug free and healthy.
“I think they had fun,” organizer Shelly Buhr said. “A lot of them had never run 2.5 miles before, so it was a boost for them.”
After being divided into four groups and transported to Rosebud Lane, the corner of Spring Creek and North Foothills Roads, the Jore Corporation, and Mission Mountain Golf Course, the groups met at the school in the middle, outlining the symbol for the assembly — the medicine wheel.
A Native American symbol for balance, health and wellness, Buhr explained they chose the symbol because it’s a positive one “that most kids recognize.”
During the assembly that followed, students watched commercials and short power-point presentations created by Ronan Middle School students.
The presentations showed students playing sports and acting out skits with a similar theme running throughout — if you want to remain healthy, remain drug free.
In 2008, Ronan High School held a Red Ribbon Week fun run without the whistles and bells of the high-tech assembly afterwards.
Along with Buhr, Brandi Couture and Chrystal Pitts decided to organize a similar event this year, including Ronan Middle School students and 5th graders in the event.
The instructors’ goal was collaboration and education. Buhr explained that students should know they’re not alone in their quest to remain drug free. Other community members have the same goal and support them in their healthy decisions.
Ronan police officers and the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department participated in the Red Ribbon event by parking their vehicles along the different walking/running routes and flashing their lights to warn drivers of pedestrians.
After the run, the energy level was high and the students’ voices buzzed excitedly around the performing arts center.
“I learned that (the run) wasn’t that hard for me and I feel like I succeeded,” 7th-grader Chloe Greenfield said.
