The Knightlife leaders, along with Knightlife adviser Dr. Jeff Stephenson, Mr. Fran Roby, and Mrs. Mary Andersen, started a new awareness week called Chemical Health Week. This week was dedicated to making students aware of how chemicals can affect people’s lives. During the week of April 11, Knightlife gave out red ribbons, told stories of the terrible effects of chemicals, and had a health panel visit health classes.

Knightlife has been around for eleven years; however, before this year they were more focused on events and activities. “This year I wanted to focus on actual awareness of what drugs and alcohol can do to a person,” said Dr. Stephenson.

The week focused on the effects of drugs and alcohol, and each day of the week students learned something new about the harmful effects associated with their use. “We had someone read different statistics everyday over the loudspeaker. However, next year we want to bring these statistics and information to the classrooms because I think that way it will have a better impact on the students,” said Dr. Stephenson.

The Chemical Health week planning committee came up with unique activities to help create awareness of their overall message. “On Monday we had four students dress up in white to symbolize deaths related to alcohol and drugs. On Wednesday we has six to seven students talk to health classes about their experience with drugs or alcohol. Lastly, on Friday we had people wear red to symbolize that they live chemical free lifestyles,” said Dr. Stephenson.

One thing that individual students could do each day was wear a red ribbon that symbolized their choice to live a chemical free life. “My favorite part was handing out the red ribbons because it gave students a way to encourage others into a life of sobriety and hope for the future,” said junior Sarah Silvestri.