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This 2 day program held in April of 2015, is designed to make Jr & Sr High School students aware of the true ramifications of driving under the influence can have on their family, friends and community.
It is based on the study's that a child dies in a traffic accident as a result of impairment every 15 minutes. The entire event is video taped for further education.
Popular, well known students are recruited for participation to further the impact on the student body.
The event incorporates all the local city, hospital and private agencies and services that would be involved with a major traffic accident and fatalities.
A number of wrecked cars are assembled with student actors having been made up to exhibit injuries sustained in the accident. While the student body watches the police and fire departments respond to the scene. the injured are removed from the vehicles using extraction tools and placed in a triage area being treated. The dead are removed and their bodies are covered to be removed by the funeral home in a hearse. Other students are transported to local hospitals by air and ambulance where their parents are waiting. The hospital and doctors treat the injured and also pronounce the ones that did not survive with their parents in the room. It becomes very real very quickly.
Those survivors who caused the accident are arrested and taken to jail where their parents are present for their arraignment. The police are miked so the students can hear the conversation with the DUI driver over the PA system.
Those students who died were required to write eulogies and letters to their parents and friends before the accident event.
Prior to the crash students are systematically removed from class rooms every 15 minutes to emphasize there absence and loss to their friends. Students return to school the following day in costumes resembling the dead and cannot speak or contact anyone. After the event they are transported to a hotel away from home and friends where additional presentations are made and returned to school the following day as the dead.
In the afternoon of the following day funeral is held in the gym with a real casket and the students reading their obituaries, and the parents reading the letters the students had written.
This well coordinated and very realistic program brings to the viewing students the reality of loss and how it can be prevented. The event becomes very emotional for all involved.
Its purpose and ultimate goal is to help save one or more lives of our students.
The funds requested are needed to pay for hotel rooms for the students and advisers. Food for the Students and support staff, flowers for the funeral portion, and supplies.
Rotarian's will be involved in many areas in supporting rolls. A Club Rotary Banner will be displayed adjacent to the accident scene.
Rotarian's will be involved in applying make up to the actors, Assist in staging the accident scene. Rotarian's will pick up and deliver food to the students at the hotel. Where necessary will also transport students and cast members.
Rotary's sponsorship of the event will be recognized in all publications, the school paper, PTSA News letter and the local newspaper.
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