Oct. 19, 2005 — Red Ribbon Week, an annual event geared at promoting drug-free communities, kicks off Monday at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Red Ribbon Week started nationally in 1985 as a tribute to Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was killed while working undercover on a drug cartel investigation. The national Red Ribbon Week is sponsored and promoted by the DEA, and during the week people promise to be drug-free and help their communities be drug-free as well.
Both the St. Thomas and St. Croix UVI campuses will host activities such as a drug-free pledge day, open mic and campus decorating competitions and more. The Office of the Associate Chancellor on the St. Thomas campus, and the Health Services Department and the Residence Hall on the St. Croix campus are sponsoring the events.
Here's the schedule:
St. Thomas Campus
Monday, Oct. 24: Pledge Day Make a pledge to be drug free and collect a red ribbon token at the UVI Dining Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also,
Tuesday, Oct. 25: Decoration Day Contest Teams of students will select a particular spot of the campus to decorate. Decorations should reflect the week's theme. Judging will take place throughout the day.
Thursday, Oct. 27: Open Mic Competition Open mic presentation at the dining pavilion from noon to 1 p.m. The songs, raps, poetry, etc. should convey a drug and alcohol prevention message.
Friday, Oct. 28: Wear Red Day All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear red. Youth Forum Hosted by the V.I. Red Ribbon Coalition Committee, 11th and 12th grade students will discuss various topics including the Child Protection Act of 2002, gang violence, and student resolutions and courses of action. The general public is invited to attend and participate in the forum which will be held from 9 -11 a.m. at the Reichhold Center for the Arts.
For more information on St. Thomas Red Ribbon Week activities, call the Office of the Associate Executive Administrator at 693-1120.
St.Croix Campus
Monday, Oct. 24: Distribution of red ribbons to the UVI community.
Tuesday, Oct. 25: Wear Red Day All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear red. Door and Residence Hall Decorating Contest The UVI community and students in the dorms will be judged for the best decorated door. Registration deadline is Friday Oct. 21. Individuals may register in the Health Services Department or at the Residence Hall. Prizes will be awarded on Oct. 31.
Thursday, Oct. 27: Open Mic The UVI community is invited to participate in an Open Mic at 8:30 p.m. in the cafetorium.
For more information about Red Ribbon Week activities on the St. Croix campus, call the Health Services Department at 692-4208 or the Residence Hall at 692-4204.
