A program filled with song and dance highlighted a message of saying “no” to drugs, alcohol and vaping at Freedom Park K-8 School on Oct. 30.
Celebrated annually the last week of October, Red Ribbon Week began as a way to remember Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent, who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985.
It started with friends and neighbors wearing a red ribbon in his memory but has grown in 40 years to not only remember him but to honor the work he did to stop drug abuse.
Sgt. Malory Jones spoke about friendship and how friends would never want each other to do anything that would be harmful to them. He encouraged students to make positive choices and to say “no” to drugs, alcohol and vaping.
“A real good friend will not try to lead you in a way where your life would end up being destructive,” he said.
Members of the school’s chorus sang, and the cheer squad performed. Liana Burton danced while Yimarys Martorell-Romero sang “Hero”.
As the program ended, Alicia Fitts with Peach State Federal Credit Union, presented Tameika Stokeling, who was named Richmond County’s Teacher of the Year, with a $1,000 check.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named best local writer by readers of Augusta Magazine in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here
