ReACT in Action
2026 Red Ribbon Week Winners
This year’s ReACT Red Ribbon Week brought Montana students together to raise awareness, share their voices, and make a difference in their schools and communities.
Tate L. from the Rosebud Coalition tied for first place in the Difference Challenge. Tate said, “I personally make a difference by helping others get past their nicotine addictions. It is important to me to be apart of react, as I have watched people struggle in my life with it and I don’t want to see others fall down that addictive lifestyle.” We are proud of all of the work you are doing, Tate. Keep making a difference in your school and community!
The Lewis and Clark Coalition tied for first place in the Difference Challenge. Each coalition member set community goals for themselves and chose one way they are going to go out and make a difference this year. We loved seeing all of the different goals set and can’t wait to see what each scout accomplishes. You guys are awesome!
The Frenchtown ReACT Coalition won the community engagement category! They celebrated Red Ribbon Week with daily trivia in the middle and high schools, student-created prevention posters, a pop-up mental health display near the counseling center, and a Natural High activity led by our middle school Task Force students, encouraging peers to share healthy activities that bring them joy. Then, they wrapped up the week with the annual Frenchtown Fall Festival, bringing together over 430 students, children, parents, and community members for a fun, substance-free evening before Halloween that also featured resource tables with nicotine quit kits, My Life, My Quit information, and additional prevention resources for teens and families. We are proud of all of the ReACTors in Frenchtown! Way to get your community involved.
The Riverside ReACT Coalition was the winner for the ReACT favorite category. They started off their week with a Red Ribbon video by Enrique Camerena Jr. They had dress up days with themes each day of the week as well as gave out red ribbon pins to all students and staff. The students also completed Hero worksheets and Red Ribbon Week coloring pages to be displayed throughout the school. They hid mini red resin ducks each day for students to find and keep as well as bigger red rubber ducks they could find and turn in for a prize. During their ReACT meeting on Tuesday during the week, they painted pumpkins and displayed them for all to see. A google form was sent to all staff and students to vote on their favorite pumpkin. A facebook post was put on the school district facebook page by our media person for the district. They also created a bulletin board with Red hand sticky notes that students could sign as a pledge to be drug free. Thank you for getting your whole school involved, Riverside ReACT. You are making a difference in your school and community!
Every Coalition Made a Difference
A huge thank you to every single ReACT coalition that participated in Red Ribbon Week this year.
We loved seeing students across Montana come together to share ideas, raise awareness, and take action in their schools and communities. Every submission represented Montana youth educating, acting, advocating, and being leaders who make a difference.
Every single student, advisor, and coalition who took the time to participate, thank you. YOU are what makes ReACT special. Whether you organized an activity, started a conversation, shared a prevention message, or encouraged others to get involved, your actions matter.
Thank you for being a part of ReACT and striving to become the first commerical tobacco-free and nicotine-free generation in Montana! We cannot wait to see what you do next.