by Bridget Kaufman

This year improvements were made to Red Ribbon Week to make an even bigger impact on the student body. Baldwin High School participates in Red Ribbon Week each year by dedicating a week in October to events created to help promote a drug free life.

Red Ribbon Week is a nation-wide campaign designed to make the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse known to students all over the country. These new events added to the agenda of Red Ribbon Week were designed to give students a different way of stopping drug and alcohol abuse. Traditionally, the events consist of themed days throughout the week, such as “Crazy Sock Day,” “Twin Day,” and “Red Day.”

New events premiered on the first day of Red Ribbon Week. Students were shown a video, made by video production students, of the staff sharing personal experiences of how friends and loved ones were victims in accidents involving people driving under the influence. The video provoked a positive reaction among students.

“The video was relatable and very insightful. It proved how drunk driving accidents are becoming a real problem,” said sophomore Paige Thompson.

Along with the video, another change made this year was that members of the T.I. Sparks and Student Council clubs dressed in white on selected days and remained quiet and somber throughout the day to remember the teenagers killed each day because of drugs and alcohol.

“The Red Ribbon Week committee was hopeful that it would get students to think about the choices they are making and the consequences of their actions,” said school social worker Dr. Annette Giovanazzi.

The week concluded on Halloween and students were given the opportunity to dress up in costumes and “scare away drugs.”

Teachers dressed in costumes as well to raise money for the annual KDKA Turkey Fund.

“Baldwin raised $273, which was doubled by PNC bank, making the total $546,” said librarian Brigetta Hannah, who coordinated the effort through the National Honor Society.