DONT PAINTED TOWN RED FOR ANTI-DRUG FIGHT

The office of Madison DONT (Drugs Offer No Tomorrow) painted the town red
the week of Oct. 21-25 in honor of the annual observation of Red Ribbon Week.

It is a national tradition established 14 years ago in memory of a U.S.
drug agent killed by drug traffickers in Mexico.

"In response to his death, angered people across the country began wearing
red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to being drug-free," said Juli
Gerrits, program director for Madison DONT.

In Madison, the week is celebrated similarly, with the added fanfare of
fun-filled days.

At Discovery Middle School, for instance, students wore safari attire that
Tuesday in honor of the theme "It's a jungle out there on drugs." That
Wednesday, the middle schoolers wore overalls. The theme: "Overall, we say
no to drugs.") And that Thursday, they came to school in slippers in honor
of the theme "Give drugs the slip."

DONT observed the week with coloring and poster contests for students in
city and county schools, with winners in each grade moving on to a contest
with winning students in Huntsville City Schools.

First-place winners in the DONT contest each received pizza gift
certificates, while first-through third-place winners were honored with
ribbons.

First-place winners in their grades at the second-tier contest (with
Huntsville schools) received $25, and first-through third-place winners
received framed certificates. The contest was coordinated by Partnership
for a Drug-Free Community.

First-place winners from Madison City Schools who advanced to the
countywide Partnership contest and their results are as follows:

Discovery Middle School - Kristen McFalls, seventh grade, first in
Partnership contest; Lierin Marin, eighth grade, first in Partnership contest.

Heritage Elementary School - Alex Marsh, second grade, first in Partnership
contest; Lindsay Bright, third grade, first in Partnership contest; Maria
Gane, fourth grade; Emily Wojciechowski, fifth grade, third in Partnership
contest; Michael Wardell, sixth grade.

Horizon Elementary School - Emmie Russier, fourth grade.

Madison Elementary School - Marcus Jaenisch, third grade; Richard Smith,
fourth grade, second in Partnership contest; Sean Hayes, fifth grade, first
in Partnership contest.

Rainbow Elementary School - Harper Pannell, kindergarten, second in
Partnership contest; Lauren Mueller, first grade, third in Partnership
contest; Abby Wright, second grade; Benjamin Ford, third grade; Kathleen
Penney, fourth grade.

St. John's Catholic School - Martha Do, second grade; Raymond Lopez, third
grade; Beth Bartholomew, fourth grade; Stephanie Karigan, fifth grade,
second in Partnership contest; Shayna Bryan, sixth grade, first in
Partnership contest; Bridget Bordelon, seventh grade; Jessica Peterson,
eighth grade.