Justin Wesley takes part in Red Ribbon Week

Nov. 1, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

The sixth-grade students at Woodlawn Elementary in Lawrence, Kan., got a special treat on Monday afternoon when Justin Wesley, a sophomore on the men’s basketball team stopped in for a visit. The class was in awe when the 6-foot-8 Wesley walked into their classroom to speak as a part of Red Ribbon Week, which is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country.

Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.

Wesley began by asking the students to introduce themselves and share what they want to be when they grow up. The student’s career paths ranged from doctors to police officers and all the way to an aspiring young forensic anthropologist. Wesley commented on their career and athletic goals by saying, “All of those are great goals, but none of them can be accomplished by doing drugs.” He said he has never used drugs nor drank or smoked because these things would derail him from being a collegiate student-athlete.

Wesley also touched on academics and the importance of planning and not procrastinating. The sixth-grade teachers were delighted to hear Wesley reiterate the exact same things that they had been teaching their students.

After Wesley addressed the students, they were encouraged to ask questions. The eager students asked questions such as: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’, ‘What is your major?’, ‘How long do you go to class?’, ‘How tall are you?’, and ‘What other sports did you play growing up?’ Wesley answered all of the questions and then signed autographs which will create a lasting memory for the sixth-grade class at Woodlawn Elementary.