October 28, 2008
SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team visited the third, fourth and fifth graders at George C. Marshall Elementary School, located in Monterey, Calif., to promote the Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans.
“The guys were very personable as they talked to the students about making good and healthy decisions and staying away from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes,” said Robert Morgan, the principal at Marshall Elementary School. “The kids were a bit awe struck by the height of the players which made it quite entertaining.”
By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena. His tragic death in the line of duty opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the illegal drug trade.
The Red Ribbon Pledge is “No Use of Illegal Drugs, No Illegal Use of Legal Drugs.”
In 1988, Red Ribbon Week was recognized nationally with President Ronald and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as the Honorary Chairs.
“Red Ribbon Week is a chance for the players in our program to get out and interact with the elementary school kids at Marshall school,” said head coach
Rob Bishop. “I feel this was a good opportunity to give back to some of the youth in our area and hopefully next year, we will be able to speak at more schools and talk to more kids.
“The players got to speak to the students on a variety of subjects from eating healthy, staying away from tobacco and alcohol, to doing well in school,” Bishop said. “The kids were able to ask the players a variety of questions as well.”
“It is always nice to be able to give back to the community,” said sophomore forward #Warren Freeman#. “We (CSUMB men's basketball team) enjoyed spending time with the students of Marshall Elementary School.”
“I liked the feeling of being a role model to the students of Marshall Elementary,” said junior center #Sean Jergo#. “To see the eagerness to answer questions was an even better feeling.”
