WPHS students spin to win — and learn — during Red Ribbon Week

Students at White Plains High School celebrated Red Ribbon Week on Wednesday by spinning a wheel that combined fun, prizes and an important message about making healthy choices.

Members of the White Plains Youth Bureau and the school’s Youth 2 Youth Club (Y2Y) set up tables in the cafeteria that featured a variety of prizes – including headphones, cups, mini-speakers, buttons and bracelets – that students could choose from by correctly answering questions posed on the pinwheel.

Students enthusiastically lined up to spin the wheel and test their knowledge.

“I love it because it teaches you about drugs and alcohol and how to say no,” said sophomore Andrea Oscarsson. “Especially for high schoolers, too."

Ryan Perez, a junior, landed on a question about whether doing drugs can interfere with driving.

“I said yes and chose a pin that I’ll put on my bag,” Ryan said. “(The event) teaches people in our school that all this stuff can interfere with you right now and also in your future.”

Zotica Medina, a social worker and student assistance counselor at White Plains High School, who was busy helping lead the awareness activity, said she introduced the Y2Y Club in WPHS in 2023.

"As a WPHS alum, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to my community and help educate our students about substance use prevention and mental-health awareness," she said.

"It’s truly inspiring to see the energy, creativity and leadership these students bring to promoting healthy choices and creating meaningful, positive change within our school and community," Ms. Medina added.

The Y2Y Club, a student-led group that promotes leadership and drug-free lifestyles among students, partners with the Youth Bureau on several community initiatives throughout the year, including Get Smart About Drugs and the 2SAFE Project+2 campaign. 

Together, these programs “promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles and strengthen connections across our schools and community,” according to the Youth Bureau. “Together, we’re empowering youth to make positive choices and build a safer, stronger future.”

Helena Marescot, the Youth Bureau’s program director for health and wellness, said the cafeteria event was designed to combine learning and fun.

“It raises awareness about how to lead a drug-free lifestyle,” Ms. Marescot said. “We try to create fun and community for engagement.”

Senior Brianna Gilzene, the social media coordinator of the Y2Y Club, said she got involved with the group last year.

“I’ve been learning new things and getting more involved and also getting community service from this,” Brianna said as she gathered students for some photographs. “I think it helps a lot of people learn about the different drug awareness programs and the different things that are affecting us, especially in high school.”

Also assisting with the event was Nicole Reyes, an intern with Student Assistance Services, who helped students take part in the quiz and learn more about substance-abuse prevention.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-prevention campaign, launched in 1985 to honor slain DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

Communities began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to healthy, drug-free living. 

WPHS’s Red Ribbon activities reflect that enduring commitment — inspiring a new generation to make positive, informed decisions and support one another in leading drug-free, healthy lives.