Kate Clark Martin
BHS intern
“Dear mom and dad, Every 15 Minutes someone dies in an alcohol related accident: BHS students learn their decisions can be forever.”
Jenna Sandoval has grown up in this community her entire life.
The Brighton High School senior, co-class president noticed something that needed to change. She took it in her own hands to initiate a different outlook on that change.
“I fought for it (Every Fifteen Minutes) because I thought our school needed to see and experience the realest possible outcome if they continued lingering around the thought that they were invincible,” she said. “I hoped they could see from this (the experience) that life can change in a second and how their choices affect so many more people then just themselves.”
Teenagers are thought and seen to be careless when it comes to drinking and driving. The program itself is a national program that teaches teens the dangers of drinking and driving through an experience that is always remembered. Not only was the school affected, so were the families of those involved in the program.
Jennifer Jackson, mother of Brighton High School students Joseph Jackson and Samuel Jackson, was deeply affected. Both of her sons were a part of the mock accident, and were basically the main characters of the entire program. The intensity of the program was huge.
“It (the program) affected me because as a parent you should never have to see your children die. That is not how the circle of life goes, I went from three sons to just one, It (the program) was so real,” said Jackson.
She agreed that the school was deeply affected, too.
“The program affects the school in so many ways, one, it brings death to a very personal level with classmates dying. Two, It shows kids who think that it can never happen to them that yes it can. Three, it affects the school family,” shared Jackson.
Following the mock accident April 20, the students pronounced dead were taken to a hotel, not able to speak to family or friends. That afternoon, a mock court case took place at the courthouse and was very real. That night, all involved in the program were taken back to the hotel and had to spend the night and write goodbye letters to their loved ones. The night was very hard for many involved.
During an April 21 assembly at the school, a parent and child had to share their goodbye letters with the school. There was not a dry eye in the house. There were also speakers during the assembly who shared their experiences. The assembly ended with a reunion of all the families and students involved.
Joe Jackson shared his outlook after his participation.
“Well it (the program) opened a whole other door for me and showed that driving drunk or just even drinking can have a huge effect on your life and people around you,” stated Joseph.