-22855 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302-

Calabasas Courier Online

-22855 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302-

Calabasas Courier Online

-22855 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302-

Calabasas Courier Online

Every 15 Minutes program speaks out to CHS students

Every+15+Minutes+program+speaks+out+to+CHS+students

Bursting into tears, I sat solemnly watching as the events unfolded before my eyes. The inner shield that once guarded my feelings broke, and I struggled to hold back my raw, unprotected emotions. Although the events that occurred over the past 2 days were staged, I can assure you that the emotions were very, very real.

On Monday April 2 and Tuesday April 3, CHS participated in a program called Every 15 Minutes. The educational program directed toward high school students warns of the dangers behind drinking and driving, as well as making reckless decisions behind the wheel. On Monday, students were pulled out of their classrooms and became members of the walking dead, resembling ghosts with their painted white faces. A simulated drunk-driving collision also took place on campus, involving the death of multiple students. The realistic depiction of the crash scene was startling, and all around me I could hear screams of pain and sorrow.

E15M continued on throughout Monday as the walking dead sat with their friends at lunch, unable to talk to or communicate with anyone. Although we could not speak to our friends, we found comfort in the fact that the next day they would be back in the real world. The simulation I experienced was temporary, but it is reality for those families and friends that have lost their loved ones to a drunk or distracted driver.

There is no such thing as a second chance; the minute we take the wheel while drunk, high or distracted we are no longer in control of the situation. E15 is designed to impact students so that they realize the consequences of poor choices. We often act like it will never happen to us, but in a second, everything we know can be gone.

picture-14The next day, friends and family of the students who passed away joined together for a funeral held in the gym. Both “dead” students and parents of “dead” students read eulogies, and although they knew the event was fake, a loss of this type is unimaginable. Students all around me used their sleeves to wipe away their tears as they mourned the loss of their friends.

Additionally, a couple, who lost their two sons to a  distracted driving accident, was brave enough to tell their real life story. My heart went out to these strong individuals who choked back their tears in order to share an experience with us that would have a lasting impact. Tears, one by one, rolled down my cheek and I could not help but glance around the room to find my classmates sobbing. At this moment, our school unified as one against the dangerous act of distracted driving. We were so thankful to the parents who shared their personal stories as they are the reason why programs like these make a difference.

When I was reunited with my friends again, I could not help but run up to them, hug them and tell them how much they meant to me. The E15M program brought the school and the community closer with the hope that students will learn from this example rather than give up their lives to one bad mistake.  e152

Although the lessons we learned from this experience may fade over time, it is up to us to continue to make the right choices. If we can take away anything from the two-day emotional roller coaster, it is to remember that a moment of bad judgment can change our lives in the blink of an eye. Our decisions will forever impact our friends and family who may never get the chance to say goodbye.

 

 

 

Eulogy from junior Rosario Anaya

Dear Mom,

Every 15 minutes, someone dies as the result of an alcohol related collision. Today, I died, and I never got the chance to tell you…I love you. You’re the reason I’m here, and I really never appreciated it or got the chance to tell you, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all the times I disrespected you. I’m sorry for all the times we fought. If I could be there with you right now I’d appreciate you more. Sure I know I’ve said a lot of things, but I’ve always loved you even when I didn’t show it. I know these past few years haven’t been our best, but regardless of that I thank you for all you’ve done for me. When my dad left you were the one who kept a roof over my head, and if I could I’d give you so much. All these years not showing you what you meant after all you did for me –I’m so sorry. But, I want to leave these as my last words for you. Thank you for never giving up. I love you.e154-copy

 

Eulogy from mother Sharon Boucher

Dear Taylor,

I never got the chance to say that my world changed the day you arrived. You have been such a gift to me, your father, family and friends. Your spirit of giving unconditionally never ceased to amaze me. You were always thoughtful of me and how I was feeling. Even today, as you said goodbye, you hugged me, told me you loved me and that I would be OK. I am so proud of you. As I would say to you every night, “to infinity and beyond.” My, what a beautiful, compassionate young man you became. You taught me so much about loving unconditionally. When your heart ached, so did mine. When you were over the moon, so was I. You are a part of my very soul and always will be. Thank you for the gift of yourself you gave to me 17 years ago. Son, I will always love you. One last time: Go Red Sox – Woo!

 What the students think:

“If we save one life, or we contribute to one person making a better decision, [the program is] worth it. Our focus [is to get] people to start thinking.” – counselor Lauren Freedman

“Once you hear the names on the announcements, you think of everything you should have done to be closer to them and know them better. Now it feels like it is too late.” – junior Kiana Ayatie155

“I think [the greatest impact] is the funeral. For me, it is when the parents speak. The idea of losing your child to a [juvenile] decision is very difficult to imagine.”  – English teacher Kelly Ortiz

“Being a part of Every 15 Minutes changed the way I perceive the world. I got a “second chance” on life and I know better now to never do anything to mess that up.” – participant Ike Fuchs

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