"I learned not to be a dummy," Vaughan said.

Vaughan said he knows he's not a puppet, so people around him can't make him do anything with which he isn't comfortable. Vaughan, as a volunteer from the audience, participated on Oct. 13 with about 425 students at Foothill Elementary School in Saratoga in a Red Ribbon Week assembly. The school's multipurpose room was packed with first and second graders as well as some kindergartners. They learned from local ventriloquist Steve Chaney how a puppeteer can make a puppet talk without moving his or her mouth. Chaney threw in jokes and colorful, mobile puppets that kept the children roaring with laughter, while still making sure they understood his theme: "Not being someone's dummy."

All week long students in the Saratoga Union School District observed Red Ribbon Week and supported "saying no to drugs." Red Ribbon Week, officially celebrated nationwide Oct. 23­31, but also throughout the month of October, included activities in Saratoga such as essay and poster contests related to making positive, healthy choices. Children also dressed in red clothing and wore red bracelets bearing anti-drug and anti-smoking messages. In addition, they signed drug-free pledge cards, which were placed in a drawing for Jamba Juice gift certificates.

Foothill students were visited on Oct. 17 by representatives from the San Jose Jazz Society for an anti-smoking assembly and jazz performance. In the summer of 2001, San Jose Jazz Society artist-in-residence Dennis Wilson composed an anti-smoking big band swing song aimed at children called, "Don't bet your life on a cigarette." Some of the lyrics of the song read: "You gotta stay healthy and that's no joke. Breathe clean air or else you'll choke. One way to do it is never bet your life on a cigarette."

Saratoga parents Julie Miller and Kim Van Tran, who organized the Red Ribbon Week activities and assemblies, are both volunteers in Foothill's Parent­Teacher Association. Van Tran said Chaney's presentation supported making good decisions and not submitting to peer pressure.

"Basically with Red Ribbon Week we're really emphasizing making healthy choices," Van Tran said. "If you chose to fill your life with productive, viable choices, you're most likely not to fill your time with unsavory activities."

Miller said the goal of the assembly was to teach kids healthy choices before they reach their teenage years, especially anti-smoking. Miller said children who start smoking early on are often enticed into trying other drugs.

Foothill PTA President Pat Vogel said she thought the assembly was very age-appropriate, although Chaney tweaked the program for the older grade levels, while still emphasizing healthy choices.

As the children learned Chaney's message, they also got involved, clapping their hands to wake up a blue, furry marionette puppet. They were also amused as Chaney goofed around with a rubber chicken and a pink sock puppet.

First-grade teacher Sally Perry, who has organized Red Ribbon Week in past years at Foothill, said she hoped the children left the assembly feeling empowered and able to think on their own and say no to drugs.

"I am totally involved in what [Chaney's] saying," said Perry, between laughs. "I love how he's getting the kids participating. He's not just talking at them."