“Every Fifteen Minutes” program touches students’ hearts….

Undersheriff Jon Zerby attempts to revive a student injured in a realistic & moving accident enactment in Tuesday's "Every Fifteen Minutes" program...photo by Rebecca Leff.

Earlier this week, high school students on the island participated in a two-day event that brought home the pain & anguish that auto accidents caused by driving under the influence can bring to a community. Staged at the high school, the event included a simulated but realistic crash & emergency response, as well as court proceedings & a mock funeral.

To get the flavor of the two-day program, watch this short video, featuring photos by Update reporter (and FHHS yearbook editor) Rebecca Leff.

What did the kids say after the program? Update reporter Collin Williamson collected these responses:

“It gave me a different outlook. Drinking and driving is not a joke and it could happen to anyone. We don’t need one of our peers to die before we get serious about it.” – sophomore Devan Rousar

“It inspired me to tell others not to drink and drive.” – sophomore Levi Demaris

“It put me in their shoes. Definitely changed my perception on drinking and driving…it could happen to anyone.” – freshman Peter Strasser

“Showed the seriousness of alcohol related accidents.” – freshman Sam Paul-Barrette

“Made me think about what people go through, and how much drunk driving can do to the families involved.” –  junior Sierra Truesdale

“Confirms why I don’t drink, period.” –  junior Stephen Kelly

“Changed my point of view on drinking and driving. People’s stories (from the retreat the students involved went to) got to me. How one bad decision can changed your life. I’ll be the one to take the keys away from now on. Others and I have gotten lucky. They could have died. It made me rethink how I’m going to act in the future.” – junior Jorge Torres

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