By Peter Sblendorio
Staff Writer

Coppell High School continues the old tradition of Red Ribbon Week this year, allowing students to dress up each day to follow a different theme.

Red Ribbon Week is held every October to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol in America’s schools. The CHS faculty instituted the theme days with the mindset of “seeing is doing,” hoping that participation from students would lead to a greater appreciation for Red Ribbon Week.

“The theme days are made to bring participation from the students,” Assistant Principal Sean Bagley said. “By participating, students take more of an active part in the awareness [of the dangers of drugs]. They are participating in the idea or concept [of Red Ribbon Week].”

The theme days this year started with Crazy Sock Day on Monday, Oct. 25. This was followed by Hat Day, which encouraged students to “put a cap on drugs”. Twin Day, Club T-shirt Day and the long-tenured Red Out Day, which has been the staple finale of CHS Red Ribbon Weeks for years, wrapped up the final three days of the week in that order.

Each day had a noticeable turnout amongst the CHS population, with Hat Day, Club T-shirt Day and Red Out Day clearly bringing the most participants.

While students enjoyed tinkering with their attire every day to meet each theme’s standards, it was important for students not to lose focus on the point of Red Ribbon Week. The CHS hallways were plastered with anti-drug signs all week and students were given red ribbons on Oct. 25 to wear as a badge against drugs.

“It’s fun to dress up every once and a while, but [Red Ribbon Week] also provides a good message for our school,” senior class president Mac Vu said. “It shows that the kids out there are pledging against drugs.

The CHS faculty sees the importance in stressing the message against drugs and alcohol, which is why they take Red Ribbon Week very seriously. The multiple theme days that went with the week were a productive way to get participation from students in saying no to drugs.

“The theme days help us to raise awareness against drugs,” junior Allie Winkle said. “They are a fun way [for students] to get excited about Red Ribbon Week.”