Brandon High School – Brandon High School Sophomore Mike Simon said he never gave much thought to the consequences of bad decision making until now.
Simon was one of more than 1,100 high school students who sat silently while a father recounted the story of losing his teenaged daughter after she was hit by a drunk driver.
“It was sad to see how the dad had to go through all that because of drinking and driving,” said Simon.
“The assembly inspired me to not drink or use drugs and to help other people make good decisions to not drink and drive.”
“I hadn’t given it much thought before the assembly,” said Simon.
“I think the assembly reached everybody and showed the effects of peer pressure and bad decision making.”
In cooperation with the Brandon Students Against Destructive Decisions group, MADD presented the multimedia campaign program “In Real Life.”
The presentation incorporates motion picture clips, music video, and stories from young people who communicate with the audience.
The presentation is designed to show the influences of choices and peer pressure in a world that encourages young people to drink alcohol too soon.
Students learn that life beyond substance use includes making good decisions, standing up for what is right, protecting self and friends and the responsibility associated with the choices.
The theme of rising above the crowd shows the positive consequences of being true to the real you and doing what is right rather than popular.
The story, told by her father, of the teenage girl who was an academic achiever, a friend to all, and completely responsible for leading a full and productive life, lost it all when she was killed by a drunk driver. The father explained his pain, devastation of family members, friends, and teachers impressed upon the students the tragic consequences of irresponsible decisions and how they affect their lives, as well as the bad decisions, infinitely domino into the lives around them.
Peer pressure brings on connotations of negativity but sophomore Ashley Mankosa found that positive peer pressure can be rewarding.
Aware that drinking has serious negative personal effects on a young body, Mankosa once risked losing friendships by bravely telling the parents of her friends that they were drinking.
Fortunately for Mankosa, her friends eventually understood her motivation was to help them and they now respect Mankosa’s decision to be different.
“I went to a party and found out the kids were drinking so my friend and I called our parents to come and pick us up,” said Mankosa.
“Then I called their parents and told them what was going on.”
“My friends were all mad, at first, but I talked with them and explained why I did it and now they respect my beliefs.”
While Mankosa is not currently a member of the school sponsored SADD program, she said the assembly inspired her to join the club and help inspire her fellow students to spread the news of responsible decision making.
Both the president and vice president of the high school SADD program, Katrina Kerpan, and Ashley Beck (respectively) agree that presentations such as the “In Real Life” assembly bring responsible decision making awareness to the forefront, however, youths are also highly influenced by their parents as well.
All four students agree that parents must continue to stress safety and that drinking and driving is an unacceptable choice, at all times.
To bring safety first to the minds of students, SADD has established the Tree of Life for students to sign in memory of, or dedicated to, someone they want to protect during the holidays.
For further information on the Brandon SADD program, contact Cathy Ciesielski (248) 627-1820.