COAL CITY — Coal City Intermediate School fourth and fifth graders danced, shouted and laughed while also hearing an important message Tuesday afternoon.

The group of more than 300 students gathered in the school gym for an interactive assembly held by speaker Mike Smith, a Gatlinburg, Tenn.-based speaker who travels across the country as part of his Kidz with Character assembly.

The assembly was part of the school's activities for Red Ribbon Week. CCIS Principal Tracy Carlson said Smith's visit had a message that fit well with the week.