Each fall, Red Ribbon Week is celebrated across America to promote the importance of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle among our youth.

The outstanding students selected as Red Ribbon leaders are selected by their local school administration as individuals who exemplify the six pillars of character promoted by the national Character Counts Initiative and the Drug Education Council (DEC).

These include the qualities of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Each honoree will lead campus-wide substance abuse prevention activities during Red Ribbon Week, using the theme “Respect Yourself, Respect the Environment,” and participate in community service event hosted by the DEC.

The annual Superintendents’ Red Ribbon Leadership Awards was recently held at the Daphne Civic Center, where elementary, middle and high schools from Baldwin and Mobile Counties’ Red Ribbon Leader Representatives were recognized.

Eighth grader, Tanner Smith, will lead Perdido Elementary/Middle School in various Red Ribbon Week activities to promote a healthy, drug free life.

-Special to the Advance