Grovetown pupils march in unity against drugs
Red ribbons and flags flapped in a cool fall breeze as hundreds of children danced down Robinson Avenue, keeping time to a drumbeat.
Then, as they arrived at their destination - Grovetown's Department of Public Safety - the approximately 600 pupils of Grovetown Elementary School delivered their message against drugs.
Grovetown Elementary School pupils marched Friday to the Department of Public Safety, where they performed skits as part of Red Ribbon Week, designed to help children say no to drugs.
Photo by Preston Sparks
''Stay drug free!" they shouted. ''Stay drug free!"
Friday's parade culminated the activities for Red Ribbon Week, designed to teach children to say no to drugs.
''Basically, this is to make children aware that we're all together against drugs," said Rae Izzo, an organizer of the event. ''They're not alone. The whole town is involved."
''Parents, understand that we are working hard with your children to make sure they are to be drug free," said Margaret McEuen, the event's head coordinator, to a group of parents who attended the event.
The parade stretched from Grovetown Elementary School to the public safety building. It was followed by pupils performing anti-drug cheers, dance and jumping rope routines and a skit.
Jessica Cline, 11, said her favorite part was ''the routine" - a choreographed sequence involving her and several other pupils waving large red flags.
Grovetown Mayor Dennis Trudeau also was in attendance, and he told the children to live their lives to the fullest.
''We've been doing this for several years now," he said. ''And last year our country was at peace. Today, our country is at war with people who have no respect for life ... but I want you children to continue playing and having fun.
''Be careful, enjoy all you can and say no to drugs."