In the Blue Room of the Oklahoma State Capital parents, grandparents and students crowded in to watch as the winners of the Jim Thorpe/FATE Red Ribbon week poster and essay contest were honored. Jim Priest, Executive Director of FATE served as emcee and the audience heard a call to action from Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks who encouraged those gathered to remember the sacrifice made by DEA agent Kiki Camerana who lost his life fighting drug lords in Mexico.
Along with the student winners, Thunderbird Youth Academy was honored as the Governor’s Enrique Camerana Award winner. TYA, in Pryor Oklahoma, provides a quasi military setting to give young people ages 16-18 a second chance to reclaim their lives.
Red Ribbon week occurs the last week of October and in Oklahoma the Jim Thorpe Association and FATE help schools fight substance abuse with literature and by sponsoring the poster and essay contest.
Thanks to all who made this great event possible!
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Jim Priest, Executive Director of FATE
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Bob Ricks, Edmond Police Chief
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Thunderbird Youth Academy
