Somers Middle celebrates teacher's life, Red Ribbon Week

By Jacob Doran

Bigfork Eagle

Last week, schools across the United States joined in celebrating Red Ribbon Week with a variety of activities aimed at keeping students off of drugs and alcohol.

Even so, it wasn't the visit from the U.S. Border Patrol, the red wristbands or Montana Meth Project presentation that had the greatest impact on students. What made Red Ribbon Week truly special was the time of reflection on the treasured Somers teacher who was struck and killed exactly one year ago, by a driver who was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol.

The tragedy, which occurred on Oct. 26, 2006, devastated students and staff alike. Few who came to school that day will ever forget the fateful morning when the Somers faculty was faced with the difficult challenge of telling students that one of their teachers had been killed, while on her way to school.

Nor will they forget the lifestyle of the woman who gave so much of herself to teach her students that success depends as much upon a person's character as it does the knowledge they have acquired.

"One year ago, we lost one of the lights of our lives, Dawn Bowker, who lived the spirit of Red Ribbon Week," Somers superintendent Teri Wing said.

Over the years, the students and staff of Somers Middle School have taken Red Ribbon Week seriously, conducting special activities throughout the week, including presentations by law enforcement officers and others familiar with the effect that drugs and alcohol have, particularly on young people.

Last week, school counselor Katie Haferbecker designed an entire program for students, incorporating a memorable theme into each day of the school week. From Monday's Pajama Day, which related to living out your dreams by staying drug free, to Wednesday's Super Hero Day, which meant being someone else's hero by making good choices in life, and Thursday's Mismatch Day—subtitled "Drugs and I Don't Match"—students got into the spirit of Red Ribbon Week in new and exciting ways.

Shortly before her death, Bowker told friends that she had made a choice to remain drug and alcohol free, because she believed that such things would detract from the life that she wanted.

As a way to remember her and honor the values that were evident in her life, the middle school staff decided to provide various activities in which the students could take part on Friday afternoon. The activities were to serve as a reminder of Bowker's belief that life is too precious to waste.

"The theme of Friday, and this whole week is that 'we have better things to do than to do drugs,' the message on the wrists bands that our kids wear," Wing said. "We have dedicated the day to Dawn Bowker."

The lineup of activities included rock climbing, a ropes course, fitness training, soccer, gymnastics, karate, racket ball, basketball, swimming and more. In fact, gyms in Lakeside, Bigfork and Kalispell all donated time and facilities for the school to schedule activities, as did area camps and businesses like Snappy Sports Center.

"My experience with middle school kids and high schoolers is that most who are involved in activities are motivated by the team camaraderie and the physical experience," Wing said. They find a group that is like-minded and they go with the energy of the activity. Mostly, I have found that students who are involved physically have concerns for their bodies and their performance. They know that activity and nutrition make them strong, not only physically, but also mentally.

"This day is an opportunity for kids to experience some of the activities that can grab them, excite them, and point them toward something healthy. I am so happy to be a leader in this district that values these experiences for kids. Dawn would be right there in the middle of this, encouraging, supporting, and leading by example."

SMS principal Lori Schieffer said she thought it was appropriate to allow students to take part in the kinds of activities that Bowker enjoyed, as a sort of culminating event for Red Ribbon Week and a way to honor the memories of her that are still cherished by her former students and co-workers.

"It's all about making good choices," Schieffer said. "We're remembering some of the things that she did and celebrating her life by doing things she liked to do. She made a choice to keep her life drug and alcohol free, and this is one more step in encouraging the kids to commit to a healthy lifestyle by exposing our students to healthy activities, in lieu of drugs and alcohol. The idea is to get high on life, not drugs. We want them to see that these types of activities make you feel good without the use of chemicals that actually damage their mind and bodies."

Schieffer said she was excited to give the students an opportunity to get out into the community and do some things that they wouldn't normally get to do. She realized that, for some, they would never have that opportunity if the school had not provided it, which makes it exciting for the kids as well.

She hoped that each student would take advantage of the opportunity to form friendships with peers who enjoy the same activities and have the same interest. She also saw it as a chance for teachers to develop more of a relationship with the students outside of a school setting. By becoming involved with the students in the activities they chose, she hoped the kids would be able to share more openly with the teachers and staff.

Since Bowker's students saw her as someone who always took time to listen and encourage them, the relational aspect of the day became an important emphasis. Thus, when the school began to consider what to do to honor her, her love of physical activity and enjoyment of the outdoors made a full palette of activities in which the staff could be involved with the students seem like the ideal way to remember her. It also serves the purpose of Red Ribbon Week by showing kids the benefits of physical activity and healthy lifestyle alternatives to drugs and alcohol.

"We don't want to have another memorial," Schieffer said. "Dawn would rather us celebrate her life than focus on her death. We're celebrating who she was. She'd much rather see us get out and do something that is healthy and enjoyable. I think she would be pleased with what we're doing."

Bowker's mother, Irene joined the Somers students for a hike in Lone Pine State Park, along with her brother Josh and several friends whom she had been close to. Irene said that her family appreciates the prayers, encouragement and acts of kindness that have been shown to them by the middle school students, teachers and administrators.

"These activities not only serve as a celebration of how life should be, they are also a way for the school to remember Miss Bowker and the lifestyle she chose. They can live a better life without any of the baggage that comes from drugs and alcohol," Bowker said.

"We feel honored to be able to share that with them and help them along their path, in life. I can smile. I know that Dawn is smiling. There is lot of joy. There may be tears, but there is also joy in remembering her."

The students all wore a purple ribbon around their wrists in honor of Bowker's life, since purple was her favorite color.