Winter Shaver’s voice echoed over the intercom throughout the halls of Columbus Signature Academy – New Tech High School.
"Pardon the interruption," said Shaver, a sophomore at New Tech on Wednesday. "This week we have been celebrating Red Ribbon Week. Many of us know of someone that has struggled or is struggling with addiction. Some of us might even know someone that has lost their battle to addiction."
Sophomore Brianna Cordes instructed her several hundred peers to head outside in the same response as a fire drill where, together, they would take a stand against addiction.
For about 15 minutes, students crowded the parking lot behind New Tech and listened to guest speakers, had a moment of silence and took a stand by tracing their footprints and signing their names inside the footprints.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Wednesday’s event was created in collaboration by the city’s youth coalition against vaping as a way to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October. The coalition encompasses students from all three Columbus high schools.
"We’re focused on getting rid of vaping and stopping that," Shaver said. "We came up with the idea to have a walkout because we felt like that would be bigger than just having everyone sitting in the gym listening to someone talk."
Nicki Vreeland with the Substance Abuse Council thanked the students for participating in the coalition’s efforts. This week’s theme for Red Ribbon Week, she said, is send a message, stay drug-free.
"I think today really sends a message," Vreeland said. "It’s really important that events like this really show that you support each other and work together to really come to a common goal. That’s what today is all about."
As part of the Red Ribbon Week celebration, the anti-vaping coalition also planned a spirit week to educate students about the dangers of addiction.
Every day students were asked to something red. Monday was red socks day; Tuesday, red hat; Wednesday, red bow tie and accessories; Thursday, red tie-dye and Friday, red-out.
"It’s really inspiring to see our classmates participate because it just shows how much people care," Shaver said. "Even if they weren’t exactly listening, they’re still out here doing something about it."
The youth coalition is currently working with Healthy Communities of Bartholomew County to find ways to bring more awareness to local classrooms and let people know they’re there to make a difference. The group is currently working on a float to use in local parades.
Cordes said she knows people who are personally struggling with addictions to vaping. Her goal in joining the club is to show others that vaping and other forms of smoking are not the best choice and can lead to other dangers.
