Southington Youths Pledge To Be Drug-Free At Rally

STEPS

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Hundreds of local youths packed the town green recently to make a declaration that could pay major dividends today and in their future.

On Oct. 16, the Southington Town Green was alive with the energy of hundreds of Southington youth pledging to be drug-free.

They were taking part in the 34th annual Red Ribbon Rally, which brought together a record 27 teams, clubs, and organizations, all of which took the stage to share a prevention message.

Many shared inspiration around the event theme of “Life is a puzzle. Solve it drug-free!” during the event, which was co-hosted by the Southington Drug Task Force, led by Trish Kenefick, and the Southington STEPS coalition, represented by Kristin Sandler.

To open the event, state Rep. Chris Poulos, D-Southington, presented Megan Albanese, the longtime Youth Prevention Coordinator for the Town of Southington, with an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly.

The recognition celebrated Albanese’s many years of dedication to empowering Southington youth before her recent transition to a new role with Hartford HealthCare.

Next to take the stage was the Rev. Victoria Triano, the longstanding emcee of the rally, who called upon the more than two dozen participants to share their messages.

This year’s rally featured two new additions made possible through partnerships with the Connecticut National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Outreach Program and the South Central Health District.

Sgt. First Class Sarah Blodgett spoke to the crowd about teamwork and the importance of maintaining a substance-free lifestyle to pursue careers in the military.

She was joined by Sgt. Evan Gustafson and fellow Guard members showcased a Humvee and handed out popular giveaways.

Adding extra cheer to the celebration was Epi, the South Central Health District’s dog mascot, who was a hit among students eager for high-fives and selfies.

Closing out the evening was Frank Pepe, assistant superintendent of Southington Public Schools, who shared a moving, personal story of growing up in a family that did not prioritize prevention.

He described how the loss of close friends to substance use and reckless driving impacted his life and urged young listeners to always reach out to a trusted adult — such as the advisors, coaches, and parents in the crowd — when they need help.

The event ended with a quiet moment of reflection as participants lined the green for a solemn candlelight vigil to honor those lost to the disease of addiction.

The event was made possible through the support of numerous community partners, including the Southington Town Council, Board of Education, Southington Police Department and Cadet Program, and the Southington Fire Department.

For more information on STEPS, click on this link.