RED RIBBON WEEK KICKS OFF

Red Ribbon Week is all about making the choice to live a healthy,
drug-free life by wearing or displaying a red ribbon throughout a
week-long schedule of activities.

Students at Northside Elementary School gathered in the cafeteria
Monday afternoon to kick off their Red Ribbon Week with a return visit
from puppeteer Dennis Lee of Nana Puddin' Productions.

The children, adorned in red, white and blue attire to show their
patriotism for a drug-free country, gathered to become willing
participants in the "Right Choices" program.

"Life is like a bubble," Lee said. "Sometimes up, sometimes down.
Sometimes a party, sometimes filled with sadness. It's up to you (the
stu dents) to make the choices that allow you to soar up, up, up."

Lee shared the message of "good choices" with the help of several
puppets that included a monkey, a bird, a pig, an ape and a very large
rat. Each colorful character had a message to share.

The monkey, who thought himself to be a "hunk," loves banana pudding
and chooses to live a happy life.

"Get up and choose today," he said, "what you think and what you
say."

The newest puppet to the puddin' family was Matthew the Magnificent
Pig. His message pertained to the perils of cigarette smoking, tobacco
usage and dealing with everyday bullies.

"Smoking is not cool. It only makes you drool." he oinked. "Tobacco
doesn't make you grow up, it makes you throw up."

Frapachino, a very large rat with a very large nose, is a new friend
of the family. He doesn't smoke the grass, he mows it. He agrees with
Lee that people are much like candy.

"Some are sweet, some are sour and some are nutty," Lee said. "We can
agree to stand up and be drug-free."

Nick, the oldest member of the team, is an ape that sends his message
with a deep, rap beat.

"Drugs can kill," Nick said. "Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week."

The theme at Northside is befitting the election year, as their
banners read, "Elect To Be Drug-Free."

"Imagine an honest world," Lee said. "One that is full of responsible
people. A world where only good things are put in your bodies. Now,
work hard to help it get there."