Pine Level Elementary wrapped up Red Ribbon Week with its 13th annual parade. Students and staff were joined by members of the Parent-Teacher Association, community members, local officials, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) leadership, Johnston County Board of Education members, representatives from the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pine Level Police and Fire Departments.
Every year, the parade is the grand finale of a week filled with fun themes for each day, such as “Favorite Sports Team Day” and “School Spirit Day”. Everyone gathered in the gymnasium to line up, and the students could barely contain their excitement as they showcased their posters and small floats that they had created. The North Johnston High Band led the procession as students marched around the school, chanting, “Say no to drugs.”
Launched in 1988, the National Red Ribbon Celebration has served as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Red Ribbon Week is the largest and longest-running drug prevention campaign in the United States.
The Pine Level Elementary parade has become a feature event, not only for the school, but for the entire community. Mayor Jeff Holt mandated that the parade become an annual event, and each year, families line the streets smiling, waving, and taking pictures to show their support for living drug-free.
“The Red Ribbon Parade means a lot to the students, their families, and the staff at Pine Level Elementary. It gives them a chance to make a float with their families that has a deep meaning behind it,” stated Pine Level Elementary Counselor Lauren Jack. “The kids love to tell the staff at Pine Level Elementary when they have been working on their floats and to show it off on the morning of the parade when walking into school."
