Sonora High Students Silenced By "Every 15 Minutes" Program

Sonora, CA -- Sonora High School juniors and seniors were silenced and mesmerized by the Every 15 Minutes program this morning.

At 8:30 emergency vehicles descended on the Wildcat campus responding to a mock vehicular accident caused by a drunk driver. One student was arrested for driving under the influence, two were hospitalized and one was killed.

The dramatic presentation concluded with comments from Principal Todd Dearden who told his students, "This is not a game guys, this is not funny. I've been in high school. I've been around for awhile. I know what you do on the weekends and sometimes during the week. I'm not you're Mom and I'm not your Dad. If I was I would kick your butt for drinking and driving, but I can't. But I can tell you to be safe, don't do something stupid."

Deaden then drew from a real life experience and told the students that years ago he had to inform his new wife that her 17 year old sister had been killed by a drunk driver. He added that that death literally destroyed his wife's family.

40 students have been selected for an overnight retreat. Tomorrow Sonora High will hold an assembly to summarize the Every 15 Minutes program.

Statistics demonstrate that every 15 minutes one American is killed by a drunk driver.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com

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