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AHSneedle

The student news site of Atlantic High School

AHSneedle

The student news site of Atlantic High School

AHSneedle

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Perspective from the “living dead”

Amy Loverin, Savannah Hoye, and Kate Wheatly at the Every 15 Minutes overnight

By Malachi Wickman

I died at 9:30 Monday morning.  The grim reaper came and took me from class, I walked out of the room knowing I couldn’t interact with students for the rest of the day.  As I stood in the hallway I watched a police man and a few other adults walk into class to announce my death.

As the day continued it became harder and harder to remember I couldn’t talk.  It was scary to realize what life in Atlantic High School would be like if a student was killed in an alcohol related collision.

When the juniors and seniors were dismissed to watch the mock crash, the events of the day began to seem more real.  The living dead were then taken to watch the trial for junior Taylor Barry who was the “drunk driver.”  Although everyone knew nothing had actually happened, eyes became teary as the mother of victim Carli Thorton gave a statement at the trial.

When we arrived back at the school for a retreat, we were unsure of the events for the evening.  Our first activities of the retreat were educational and one of the more “light” activities.

For dinner we were served pizza and Subway subs.  As we ate, we heard stories about drunk driving from different people.  Sheriff Green told of his hard days on the job, being called out to find teenagers or families who had been killed because of drivers under the influence.  Again, emotions were flowing and eyes began to water throughout the group.  After Green, elementary school nurse Lori Mudd talked of her time working in the hospital.  Green and Mudd both spoke of how when someone is injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, it doesn’t only affect the family member and friends. It also affects those who try to save you but can’t, those who have to go looking for the body, or inform the family you won’t be coming home.  When they were done, another speaker from the Every Fifteen Minutes program spoke of one of her family members who was killed in a collision.

When these stories were over, we went back to some of the lighter activities.

Later in the evening we listened to students from Teen Challenge.  They told stories about their lives, how they had become involved with alcohol and drugs, and how long it took them to realize they needed to change.  One of the students had actually killed someone because he was driving intoxicated.  All of these stories we heard were very sad, but hearing them first-hand made us realize the reality of the program.

We took another short break then gathered again to write letters to our parents.

After everything we had heard that night, it was hard to focus my thoughts on writing the letter.  It was the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write.

The next day when we went to the funeral, I was surprised how real it seemed.  I knew it wasn’t real, but after the day before I knew it could’ve been real.

Hearing students and parents read the letters they had written again caused the audience to tear up.

Before the program, I knew it was wrong to drink and drive.  Yet, after watching a crash, observing a trial, and hearing stories and letters, I’ve realized how often it actually happens and how serious the consequences are.

I do not drink. I have never been drunk, but for those who have, I hope they also learned from this program.  I don’t ever want to be the person who has a story to tell about loosing a friend or family member to an alcohol related collision.

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