PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, October 22, Victor and Mary Juarez of Never Let Go Ministries, along with Stacy Sentle, went to St. Patrick Catholic School in Bryan to give their testimonies for Red Ribbon Week to the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students.
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug awareness campaign in memory of Kiki Camarena, a special agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, who was brutally tortured and murdered in 1985 because he was close to exposing the top leaders of a multibillion-dollar drug pipeline.
Every year, from October 23~October 31, our nation remembers the work and sacrifice of Kiki, and students are educated on the dangers of drugs, and are asked to sign a pledge to remain drug free. Kiki was only 37 when he was murdered, and left behind a wife and two children.
Stacy spoke first to the students and shared some of her personal testimony. She spoke honestly about how her choices in life affected not only herself, but also her family and those who loved her. She spoke a lot about the choices we make when we are younger, and how they often determine our future.
Victor and Mary shared the story of her son Marjoe, who lost his life to an overdose in 2010. They too, talked about choices in life. They also shared a memorial section, a recovery section, and statistics.
The students received a NLG bag with many Red Ribbon materials in it, along with a pledge card. Door prizes of Jesus Calling Devotionals for kids, NLG t-shirts, NLG Blankets, NLG drawstring bags were given to winners. Miss Edgerton, Felicity Thiel, donated stressless bags with inspirational items and positive messages.
Pictured above are the 4th, 5th, & 6th grade students from St. Patrick School, along with Victor and Mary Juarez of NLG, teachers Mrs. Jan Shaffer and Mrs. Michelle Leitch, and Principal Tracy Koenig. Missing from the picture is Stacy Sentle.