Mayor Blong of Midland, TX, joined junior high students at Goddard Junior High to kick off Red Ribbon Week, an annual event that aims to promote drug awareness and prevention among young people. During the event, Mayor Blong and the students signed a pledge to remain drug-free in their lives.
In a Facebook post on Oct. 25, Mayor Blong expressed her gratitude for being a part of the Red Ribbon Week kickoff at Goddard Junior High. She wrote, "The energy in that room was contagious, and it gives me such high hopes for our future leaders." Mayor Blong also thanked the school for allowing her to be a part of the event.
The Red Ribbon Campaign, of which Red Ribbon Week is a part, is an organization that focuses on keeping children drug-free. It is a suborganization of the National Family Partnership and aims to educate youth about the dangers of drugs and encourage them to make healthy choices. The campaign started in 1985 and has been instrumental in mobilizing communities and promoting drug prevention activities.
Goddard Junior High, located in Midland, serves seventh and eighth-grade students. The school not only emphasizes academic excellence but also offers various extracurricular activities in the arts, athletics, and academics. Additionally, the school provides career-specific curriculum through Midland ISD's career academies, preparing students for success in college or their chosen careers.
Mayor Blong's presence at Goddard Junior High during Red Ribbon Week highlights her commitment to advocating for drug use prevention among young people. She believes that a healthy and happy life is built on making good choices and staying on the right path. By participating in events like Red Ribbon Week, Mayor Blong hopes to inspire and empower the future leaders of Midland to lead drug-free lives.