DAPHNE, Ala. — The 8th Annual Superint-endents’ Red Ribbon Leadership Awards banquet Monday brought students, parents and educators from Mobile and Baldwin counties together to praise selected students.

One student from each school —representing Mobile’s and Baldwin’s public and private institutions, through high school— had been chosen by the Drug Education Council to lead events at their school during Red Ribbon Week in October, Virginia Guy, Drug Education Council executive director, said.

Red Ribbon Week allows students to learn about the dangers of substance abuse.

Students had chosen a school-wide or community project that they completed over the Christmas holidays. Projects included peer counseling, breast cancer awareness and fundraising for Camp Smile, for visually-impaired children, Guy said.

Monday’s festivities included a colorful awards ceremony, a catered dinner and inspirationally-themed decor in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Students received medals from superintendents Faron Hollinger, Gwen Byrd and Dr. Roy Nichols.

A crowd of nearly 900 applauded as children crossed the stage to receive their medal and shake hands with the superintendents while each child’s name, school, and community service project were read.

Guy and Davis presented $6,000 in scholarship money to eight high-school seniors for their service projects. Two younger students received $100 gift certificates to a local department store.

The night’s finale featured a slideshow of students as they had worked on their projects. Dream-themed songs rang out during the presentation that captured students carrying donated canned goods, collecting personal items and giving performances during school assemblies.

Kayla Thomas, an eighth-grader at Christ the King, collected diapers and baby wipes for the TO BE pregnancy center in Fairhope.

Monday’s ceremony “gave recognition and makes others want to do good,” Thomas said.

Dorothy Griffith, a Bayside Academy senior, said her project focused on peer counseling. Griffith gave two assemblies on topics like bullying, peer pressure and how to make healthy choices.

“It’s all about setting a good example and giving back the gifts I’ve been given,” Griffith said.

Seven students from Daphne schools were recognized Monday. The list is as follows:

•Dorothy Griffith, Bayside Academy

•Kayla Thomas, Christ he King Catholic School

•Ariel Crook, W.J. Carroll Intermediate School

•Morgan Cannon, Daphne East Elementary

•Reed Jackson, Daphne Elementary

•Madeleine Cox, Daphne Middle School

•Courtney Hamon, Daphne High School