The sound of chopper blades beating against the air greeted
students at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch May 16 as a
Blackhawk helicopter set down on the school’s soccer field.
The landing was part of a planned visit by the Colorado National
Guard in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). With
only days left in the school year, the soldiers and DEA agents
wanted to remind students about the dangers of illegal drugs.
The DEA agents and school administrators spoke to nearly 500
freshman and sophomore students who gathered to watch the
helicopter land. Administrators say the message was to encourage
students to avoid poor decision making during summer break.
The DEA and National Guard team up throughout the year to promote
the Red Ribbon program, which aims at educating students about the
dangers of illegal drugs and offers them an opportunity to pledge
their support to a drug and alcohol-free future.
The DEA approached ThunderRidge because of a link through one of
the school’s special education teachers, Patty Kurz, who is also a
member of the Air Force National Guard.
