STE. GENEVIEVE – Schools in Ste. Genevieve County celebrated Red Ribbon Week the week of Oct. 27. This year’s theme was “Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug-Free.” Throughout the week, students of all ages participated in activities promoting healthy decisions and substance-free lifestyles.
Students from Ste. Genevieve High School gathered at Ste. Genevieve City Hall on Oct. 14 to sign a Proclamation declaring Oct. 27–31 as Red Ribbon Week in Ste. Genevieve.
High school students attended a ThinkFirst assembly featuring guest speaker Carey Portell, who shared her powerful story of surviving a serious vehicle crash caused by another driver’s choices. Through her message, she urged students to make responsible decisions and consider how their actions can impact others. The district extends its appreciation to Carey for taking the time to speak with students and for using her experience to inspire safer decision-making. Members of the high school organization Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) assisted in the planning and programming of the assembly, as well as other components of Red Ribbon Week.
Middle school students also participated in hands-on learning experiences throughout the week. Sixth graders discussed the effects and potential consequences of drinking alcohol at a young age, using Fatal Vision Goggles to simulate the difficulty of performing basic tasks while under the influence of alcohol. Seventh graders explored how opioids were originally developed for medical use but can quickly become dangerous due to their highly addictive nature. They also used simulation goggles to experience the challenges of impaired coordination. These activities were led in collaboration with School Resource Officers Christy Clark and Nick Cusanelli, helping students understand the real-world impact of substance use and the importance of making safe choices.
Teachers and staff shared lessons and discussions provided through Red Ribbon Week resources to make connections and learn about making healthy, drug-free choices. Younger students, including third grade classes, the Early Childhood Center, and preschools and daycares, had the opportunity to engage in presentations from the Ste. Genevieve Police Department and the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office, as well as local K-9 units. Students visited with School Resource Officer Nick Cusanelli, his retired K-9 partner, Mario, and Sergeant Charles Ochs. They talked with students about how an officer and K-9 work as a team, and explained to older students how their K-9 partners are specially trained for police work, including certification in narcotic searches and apprehension.
Throughout the week, families and community members were also provided with resources such as the Operation Prevention Parent Toolkit, which offers tips and guidance for preventing drug use. These resources raise awareness and give families the tools to take a proactive approach in discussing the dangers of substance use with their children.
The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District would like to thank Dr. Kristen Huffman and the private and parochial schools throughout Ste. Genevieve County for coordinating the events this year, along with SADD for helping to plan the activities, and the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office, the Ste. Genevieve Police Department and Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital for their work in helping to reiterate and share the message to stay drug free. We would also like to thank our faculty and staff who helped to plan this week and make everything run smoothly, and our local businesses, organizations, and community members for supporting this program and our students, and for spreading the message to make healthy decisions.