High school freshmen from across the region will spend Monday at Gettysburg High School as part of the Freshman Impact Program. The event is organized through Community Organized Resources in Educating youth (C.O.R.E) to encourage young people to make responsible decisions — especially when it comes to drinking and driving.
The program is set to run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the school, with students from Gettysburg, Hoven, Onida, Faulkton, and Mobridge coming to town to participate. The main event, a staged alcohol-induced car crash followed by a funeral and mock trial, is designed to encourage responsible decision-making amongst young teens.
Other planned activities include a drunk driving golf cart course where teens will attempt to navigate around cones in goggles simulating intoxication and a booth demonstrating the effect of a vehicle rollover on passengers without a seatbelt.
There are currently 14 programs scheduled and 53 school districts involved, including the Sept. 18 event in Gettysburg.
According to the nonprofit’s mission statement, “Caught in the Moment is a powerful one-day prevention program for young teenage students. The students see up close and learn through hands-on activities the possible consequences of wrong choices and the lasting effects physically and emotionally on their bodies, their families and friends, and their community. The program promotes communication and developing rapport between the youth and law enforcement/fire/rescue personnel.” The stations are taught by local law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, and people who have been impacted by the effects of driving under the influence or drugs and alcohol.
Volunteer group leaders are needed to guide students through each interactive learning station. Volunteers must be 21 or older.
Interested parties should contact Onida School Secretary Mary Jo Stier at mary.stier@k12. sd.us or 605-258-2617 or Rick McPherson at r.mcpherson@freshmanimpact.org or 605-431- 4672. The website for the program is www.freshmanimpact.com.
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