October 27, 2026

Over 130 Students Take A Stand on Route 5 for Red Ribbon Week

ANGOLA, NY – Over 130 Lake Shore students marched from W.G. Houston Middle School out to Route 5 on Tuesday, Oct. 27 to Take A Stand for Red Ribbon Week.

It was Red Day across the district, and the line along Route 5 showed it: red shirts, red sunglasses, red pom-poms and handmade signs reading “Be Drug Free,” “Stay Drug Free” and “Drug Free Is the Best Way to Be.” Drivers honked and waved as they passed, and students cheered back.

Two students in red sunglasses wave red pom-poms along Route 5.

Red sunglasses, red pom-poms, red everything.

A student holds up a handmade Don’t Do Drugs sign as classmates smile beside her.

Handmade signs lined the route.

Students in red sunglasses hold a Stay Drug Free banner along Route 5.

Holding the line on Route 5.

Plenty of company

Students didn’t march alone. Staff Sergeant Tracy Pawlik and Specialist Mae Enoc of the New York National Guard joined the march. Local police, fire and EMS came out to support students, and Lake Shore staff marched, cheered and helped make signs.

Then there was the surprise guest: the Chick-fil-A Cow, who stopped by handing out red sunglasses.

A New York National Guard soldier gives a thumbs-up while walking with the march.

The New York National Guard marched with us.

A staff member in red sunglasses cheers with both arms raised along Route 5.

Staff brought the energy.

Two Lake Shore staff members pose with the Chick-fil-A Cow outside the Middle School.

The Cow came with sunglasses.

Why we march

Take A Stand is organized with Citizens for Responsible Choices (CRC), the prevention coalition for the Lake Shore community, with support from WNY United.

Red Ribbon Week honors Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent killed in the line of duty, and asks students to commit to a drug-free life. This year’s theme is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.” Red Ribbon Week continues through Oct. 31.