Hundreds of community members attend the 22nd Annual PSJA ISD Tri-City Red Ribbon Parade

SAN JUAN – In celebration of Red Ribbon Week, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) in partnership with the cities of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo hosted its 22^nd Annual PSJA ISD Tri-City Red Ribbon Parade in San Juan, TX on October 28, 2023.

Red Ribbon Week is held annually in October. The campaign serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities, educate youth, and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.

The PSJA Tri-City Red Ribbon Parade served as the culmination of the district’s week of Red Ribbon Week activities in an effort to raise awareness on the importance of living a drug-free life.

The annual event featured this year’s theme “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free” officially celebrating the year-long effort from the PSJA community to stand up and fight against drug usage.

This event is possible thanks to a tri-city collaboration between PSJA ISD and the cities of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo.

During the parade, PSJA ISD campuses featured their band, cheer, and dance teams alongside a variety of beautifully decorated floats that coincide with this year's National Red Ribbon theme while also incorporating the district's sustainability initiative.

Throughout the parade, a representative from Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo judged the creativity and message behind each float to name the winners of the PSJA ISD 2023 Red Ribbon Parade Float Contest.

Congratulations to the following campuses:

Elementary Division:

1^st Place – Aida C. Escobar Elementary

2^nd Place – Santos Livas Elementary

3^rd Place – Alfred Sorenson Elementary

Secondary Division:

1^st Place – Raul Yzaguirre Middle School

2^nd Place – PSJA Ballew School of Business & Energy

3^rd Place – LBJ Middle School

In addition, PSJA Early College High School (PSJA ECHS) KTRI Student Reporters alongside their Director, PSJA ECHS Video Production Teacher Pedro Leija gained hands-on reporting experience by emceeing the parade live as contestants stopped by the judge’s table.

Thanks to a committee comprised of district leaders, local law enforcement agencies, and tri-city partners the PSJA community was able to come together to safely celebrate saying no to drugs.

Next year's 23^rd Annual PSJA ISD Tri-City Red Ribbon Parade will be taking place in Alamo, Texas.

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