(Le Mars) — Le Mars’ 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from both Le Mars Community and Gehlen Catholic gathered yesterday for the annual Le Mars Optimist club’s “Just Say No to drugs and alcohol” assembly. The event was held at the Le Mars Community Middle School auditorium. The students were given a direct message from the director of the Youth Education Services juvenile detention center based in Cherokee. Sheryl McGrory informed the students that most, if not all, the students currently housed in the juvenile detention center are there, either directly or indirectly as a result of drugs.
The YES director shared a letter written by a juvenile currently being held in the center, which she believes got the students’ attention.
This year’s winning entry designed t-shirt features a combination lock with the slogan “lock out drugs and alcohol”. It was designed by Le Mars Community 7th grader, Syndey Miner.
7th grader Syndey Minor stands beside Le Mars Optimist Club Past President, Wayne Heien. Miner designed the winning entry t-shirt for this year’s “Just Say No to Drugs” assembly.
