Each year, October 23rd through the 31st, Red Ribbon Week is celebrated across the nation. This U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) event helps educate on 
and reinforce the importance of a drug-free lifestyle in schools and communities. This week is marked by a pledge that students take together to be drug-free.
Red Ribbon Week began in California to honor the life and work of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who was killed during a drug trafficking investigation in Mexico in 1985. First Lady Nancy Reagan brought Red Ribbon Week to the nation after it was formalized in 1988 and promoted by numerous other states, including Virginia.
While the schools in Colonial Heights have historically celebrated Red Ribbon Week with activities, spirit weeks, and other celebrations, Principal of Colonial Heights Middle School Amanda Pelter had other plans for her school's 2024 Red Ribbon Week -- plans that included a helicopter landing among many things.
Months in advance, Mrs. Pelter worked with the Virginia National Guard and the DEA to create a
Red Ribbon Week event at CHMS that students would not forget. On October 24, 2024, that event came to fruition.
The first event of the day was an assembly inside the school where various student-athletes from neighboring Virginia State University shared their thoughts on living a drug-free life. They explained the importance of avoiding drugs and focusing on academic and athletic goals. The VSU cheerleaders, the Woo Woos, ended with a Colonials-spirited cheer to get students pumped for the next part of this exciting day.
Then, DEA Diversion Investigator DeAndra Lee led CHMS 6th graders in reciting the Red Ribbon pledge where they promise to be drug free. Students recited the pledge while wearing their red ribbons.
At the conclusion of the assembly, students were led outside to a back lawn filled with various stations touting military and law enforcement professionals and equipment. Before beginning those stations, the students stood behind cones awaiting a surprise -- a surprise that would end up being a Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota helicopter circling and landing on the back lawn of CHMS. Many students have cited the helicopter landing and take-off as the most exciting part of the event, with many never having seen an aircraft landing that up close before.
After the landing, students visited stations that included police vehicle displays, "drunk goggle" cart rides through cones, undercover operation vehicles, tactical gear to pick up or try on, a drug K9, a police drone, a firetruck, an MRAP W-ATV, and, of course, the Lakota helicopter.
This educational event not only allowed students to see the weight of resources and dedication to drug prevent in our nation, state, and community but also likely breathed inspiration into a few new future police officers, soldiers, and DEA agents!
This event would not have been possible without the Virginia National Guard, the DEA, Colonial Heights Fire & EMS, Colonial Heights Police, Virginia State University, CHPS Maintenance Team, CHMS Administration, and many staff members at CHMS.
To see more photos of the event, check out our event post on the Colonial Heights Public Schools Facebook page.
Click here to learn more about the history of Red Ribbon Week.