County students say 'Peace Out!' to drugs

Dyer County students said 'Peace Out!' to drugs this week as winners of the 2012 Red Ribbon Essay Contest were recognized in a special ceremony at Three Oaks Middle School. Students earning first, second or third place in five grade categories were honored and provided the opportunity to share their essays. The raw honesty shared by the students brought tears to the eyes of many attending the assembly, with many of the students revealing how drugs and alcohol addiction have robbed them of family members. From left, front, Fifth-Grade First-Place winner Jordan Ford of Fifth Consolidated, Fourth-Grade Second-Place winner Emery Bevis of Holice Powell, Fifth-Grade Third-Place Winner Emma Robbins of Holice Powell, Fourth-Grade Third-Place winner Caroline Gentry of Fifth Consolidated, Fourth-Grade First-Place winner Taylor Dunlap of Trimble Elementary, Sixth-Grade First-Place winner Caitlynn Kirk of Northview, and Fifth-Grade Second-Place winner Kiyana Taylor of Newbern Elementary; back row, Eighth-Grade Second-Place winner Victoria Travis of Northview, Eighth-Grade Third-Place winner Cheyanne Harber of Three Oaks, Eighth-Grade First-Place winner Lindsay Maupin of Three Oaks, Sixth-Grade Third-Place winner Hannah Owsely, Seventh-Grade First-Place winner Kaylee Rogers of Three Oaks, Seventh-Grade Third-Place winner Zion Lafferty of Three Oaks, and Seventh-Grade Second-Place winner Celeste Canada of Northview. Not pictured, Sixth-Grade Second-Place winner Jack Goostree of Three Oaks.

The initiative began when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. But for many local students, participating in the annual Red Ribbon Essay Contest is about much more than sharing a history lesson.

Many of the students sharing their essays at Three Oaks Middle School on Thursday morning made it clear that the issue of drugs is a personal matter.

Several essays shared during the program revealed students who have lost family members to a drug-induced lifestyle. Children left behind to deal with the devastation of a broken life. Picking up the pieces left by a person who was supposed to care for them. Families torn apart by an all-consuming addiction.

"When you hear the heart of children and they are begging for people to stay off of drugs, that says something," said Dyer County Schools counselor Martha Davidson at the conclusion of the program.

Sponsored by the Dyer County Sheriff's Department, the essay contest is conducted as an annual event in the Dyer County School System. This year's theme was "Say 'Peace Out!' to drugs!"

Dyer County students earning awards in the 2012 Red Ribbon Essay Contest include:

* First Place -- Taylor Dunlap of Trimble Elementary School

* Second Place -- Emery Bevis of Holice Powell Elementary School

* Third Place -- Caroline Gentry of Fifth Consolidated Elementary School

* First Place -- Jordan Ford of Fifth Consolidated Elementary School

* Second Place -- Kiyana Taylor of Newbern Elementary School

* Third Place -- Emma Robbins of Holice Powell Elementary School

* First Place -- Caitlynn Kirk of Northview Middle School

* Second Place -- Jack Goostree of Three Oaks Middle School

* Third Place -- Hannah Owsley of Northview Middle School

* First Place -- Kaylee Rogers of Three Oaks Middle School

* Second Place -- Celeste Canada of Northview Middle School

* Third Place -- Zion Lafferty of Three Oaks Middle School

* First Place -- Lindsay Maupin of Three Oaks Middle School

* Second Place -- Victoria Travis of Northview Middle School

* Third Place -- Cheyanne Harber of Three Oaks Middle School

Three Oaks students served as hosts for the event, with family members, community leaders, and the faculty and staff of Three Oaks, Trimble and Fifth Consolidated attending the event.