Motivational movie kicks off Red Ribbon Week at Meneley

Students at Meneley Elementary School laughed and cheered on Monday as their favorite movie characters flashed across three giant screens set up in their gym: Speed Racer, Wall-E, Sponge Bob.

But the students weren't watching the movies themselves. They were watching a video montage called "Hearts & Hands," produced by Motivational Media Assemblies, a division of the National Alliance for Youth Development.

The popular children's characters delivered positive messages, such as "Have a big heart," "Accept yourself," and "Don't use drugs."

"This is the sixth year we have done the motivational assemblies, and it's a good way to kick off the year and the drug-free Red Ribbon Week," said Douglas County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Scott Shick.

Red Ribbon Week, which ends today, was founded in 1988 to honor Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed while investigating drug cartels in Mexico.

"Kids are becoming more set in their ways at earlier ages," said Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini. "The earlier we get to them the better, to steer them in the right direction."

The sheriff's office and the juvenile probation department teamed up with Suzy Stockdale of the Smallwood Foundation to fund the presentation.

"We're really proud to be part of this," Stockdale said. "To be able to communicate with the young people in our community and convey the importance of a drug-free lifestyle."

This spring, Motivational Media Assemblies will give a presentation to middle schools and the high school entitled "Showtime," a video that addresses fear, apathy and the search for validation.

"It's important to do this every year and reinforce the kids and set a foundation in place that keeps them on track," said Pierini. "We appreciate the school district. They always find time, and without using their schools, we couldn't do this."