By Mary Ellen Zangara Special Writer
MANVILLE — Students at Christ the King School participated in Red Ribbon Week activities beginning last week at the school, joining other students nationwide pledging to be drug free.
Scott Frauenheim, the school’s new physical education teacher, was the coordinator of the Red Ribbon activities.
”We have recently begun a chapter of SADD Students against Destructive Decisions at Christ the King,” he said. “We held elections last week for leadership positions as well as an advisory council for the chapter.”
The officers of the newly-formed SADD council include President Morgan Clyne, Vice-president Colleen Hart, Co-treasurers Frankie Walko and Joshua Riley, and Co-secretaries Karen Stadtmueller and Lexie Nerger.
”The students are very excited to begin learning and focusing on the major decisions students, children, and teenagers face throughout their younger years,” Mr. Frauenheim said. “The SADD chapter focuses on drugs, alcohol, depression, violence and any other decision that may be harmful or lead to serious consequences. I am excited as the club moderator to share my knowledge from being a part of SADD in high school and college. School has been very busy since September and full with lots of new and exciting changes, groups, clubs and activities.”
The students had a visit from the Immaculata High School SADD moderator earlier in the week, and each student and teacher was given bags of pretzels, with labels noting “Don’t Forget Drugs Twist Your Brain.”
The students also had various readings and announcements during the week explaining Red Ribbon Week, and making the point that drugs are a major problem while also teaching the harm that is done to their bodies when taking drugs.
Each school family made Red Ribbons for this week and the ribbons were displayed in the halls of the school in addition to banners and “Red Ribbons” throughout the hallway reminding of the importance of the week.
On Friday, the entire student body wore red ribbons on their school uniforms to promote the campaign to live drug free lives.
”Another thing that we have taught our students was the tradition of this special week and how Red Ribbon Week commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by a US DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena, who died at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle against illegal drugs to keep our country and children safe,” Mr. Frauenheim said. “Our students have been very involved in the awareness of drug prevention.
”We are happy here at Christ the King to be a part of this national campaign with students, families, and people from all over the world,” he added.

