By Angela Barentine

“God 1st, family 2nd, yourself 3rd.” Those were words spoke by Investigator Derek McKinney, who was the guest speaker for the Red Ribbon Cutting held at the Crisp County Middle School Auditorium on Monday.

McKinney went on to tell the students the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol.  He also delivered powerful and enlightening words against joining gangs.

More than 950 people were in attendance for the ribbon cutting. CCMS Principal welcomed the audience, Phil Streetman delivered the Invocation, Sarah Souter and Amy Powell led the Pledge of Allegiance, Chief of Police Rob Rodriquez introduced guest speaker Derek McKinney, and Sheriff Billy Hancock delivered closing remarks.

Additionally, CCMS held contests for homeroom door decorating, poster, and essay.  The winners were announced by Hope Powell and are as follows:

Door Decorating – 6th grade tie: Mrs. Hauesler’s Team and Mrs. Yawn’s Team • 7th grade tie: Mrs. Ingram’s Team and Mrs. Feagan’s Team • 8th grade tie: Ms. Brown’s Team and Mrs. Clark’s Team.

The poster winner was 8th grader Sky Stevens.

The essay winners were 8th grader Alexzandria Bowen and 6th grader Elayna Oliver.

Red Ribbon Week is a very important annual event in Cordele/Crisp County to raise awareness  in the community about the importance of living drug and bully free.  The event also reinforces to our most precious resource, our children, that we care about them deeply.

Special thanks go out to the following people for making  the Red Ribbon Week Kick-Off Celebration possible and successful: Crisp County Middle School’s faculty, staff, and students; the Cordele/Crisp Chamber of Commerce’s Red Ribbon Committee; the Crisp County Family Connection Poverty Strategy Team; Derek McKinney, Rob Rodriquez, Phil Streetman, and Billy Hancock.