By Katelyn Blake
Ann Johnk, mother of senior Austin Johnk, says that her first reaction to the 15-Minute Program was, “I think it will be intense, I hope it is intense enough for kids to learn.”
“When I got that call at 8:20 in the morning from police department saying that my son died and alcohol was involved, I knew it was coming, but all day it was difficult. I had to keep telling myself this isn’t real. It was just really creepy.”
The parents attended a retreat at St. Paul’s Monday night while the students were at the high school for a retreat. “That is where it became different. We knew the people in the program were going to shine a new light.” One speaker had actually been in prison for eight years for killing someone in an alcohol-related collision. “I had never thought that perspective.”
After the program when Johnk and her son exchanged letters, they came to the decision to wait to read the letters until they were home.
“I am thankful for the relationship with my kids. I know where they are at and what they are doing. We have had this discussion especially since my oldest daughter is now 21.”