Students at Sheffield school and Youngsville Elementary School took part in events as part of Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 23 through 31.

Marked since 1985, Red Ribbon Week is “the nation’s longest running drug use prevention campaign,” according to the National Family Partnership, which organizes the event.

At Sheffield Area Elementary School, students participated in daily events, such as a “Heroes Make Healthy Choices” day where they dressed up as superheroes and a wear red day. The theme at the school this year was be kind to your mind.

“Red Ribbon week was a great opportunity to help remind our students to keep their minds healthy and make positive choices,” SAES Counselor Emyle Sherrard said. “We had a great turnout and our kids loved showing their school spirit. We had a ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ coloring contest and a healthy versus unhealthy trivia game to bring our school together.”

Students also participated in Red Ribbon week at Sheffield Middle/High School.

“I was very happy to see 34 students show up to my classroom during lunch to help plan our first event (for) Red Ribbon Week,” first-year Students Against Destructive Decisions advisor Kristen Joblonk said. “Lily Benton and Andrew Kyler decorated the bulletin board at the entrance to our school using this year’s theme, ‘Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free’. S.A.D.D. also planned a spirit week and held a costume contest for the middle/high school.”

At Youngsville elementary, students participated in a “healthy habits challenge,” according to school counselor Laura Bierbower.

“Instead of focusing specifically on drug prevention, we focused on treating your body well,” she said. “Students and their families were encouraged to complete at least three to five challenges throughout the week: drink only water/milk for a day; try one new healthy food; spend at least 30 minutes playing outside, or inside if weather is uncooperative; spend the evening without electronic devices and help make one meal or snack at home. We had 77 students complete the challenge and 37 of them completed all five! Many grown-ups noted that they especially loved the screen free night!”