Ghost Out Simulation Stresses Importance of Safety and Good Choices

As we near spring, student celebrations like prom and other events begin to take place. Not only that, there is an increase in traffic that continues through the summer on U.S. Highway 93. Student safety during these times and throughout the year is complimented by good choices. Mission FCCLA students recognize the need to inform the student body about making good choices and are sponsoring a national recognized program on Thursday, March 15, 2012 as part of their state project.  High school students will be experiencing a program called "Ghost Out." It is part of a national program called "Every 15 Minutes."

FCCLA Project Leaders: Sara Bowers, Morgan Andres, Rose Bear Don't Walk, and Janeal McDonald.

 This program's foundation of effectiveness is based on a simulated experience. The program states: "Life's lessons are best learned through experience. Unfortunately, when the target audience is teens and the topic is drinking and texting while driving, experience is not the teacher of choice." This program has develop a simulation that involves a staged traffic collision that will be viewable on the school grounds. Local fire and rescue workers will treat injured student participants. These students will experience first hand, the sensations of being involved in a tragic, alcohol-related and texting while driving collision. The coroner will handle fatalities on the scene, while the injured students will be extricated by the jaws-of-life manned by Fire-Fighters and Paramedics. A flight-for-life helicopter will also arrive.  Police Officers will investigate, arrest, and book the student "drunk driver."

To further understand the concept of "every fifteen minutes," volunteer students will be removed from the classroom during the morning sessions. One student every fifteen minutes will be taken in order to simulate the separation and loss of someone in a alcohol or text related accident.

At 1:00 PM there will be an assembly. According to the "Every Fifteen Minute website: "The focus of the assembly stresses that the decision to consume alcohol can affect many more people than just the one who drinks and the dangers of texting while driving. This very emotional and heart-wrenching event will illustrate to students the potentially dangerous consequences of their use of alcohol and texting while driving, regardless of how casual they believe their use is."

At 2:00 PM the traffic accident simulation will begin. Sirens will be heard throughout Mission for responders to participate. We ask that our community not be alarmed. You are welcome to join us in this event at the high school. The event will be hosted in the back parking lot behind the gymnasium. Posters and notices have been distributed throughout the community to inform everyone of this activity.

Because these types of events can effect students in different ways, students are allowed to opt out of the event and assembly. However, school-based alcohol prevention programs are essential in helping to reduce and eliminate alcohol use among adolescents.