Yesterday was Grim Reaper Day at Staples.
Three days before Junior Prom — and a month before Senior Prom and graduation — the Teen Awareness Group organized its 11th annual powerful educational event.
The walls were plastered with scary — and graphic — informational posters. A demolished car was parked outside.
Tyler Head thought he could drive home from a bar.
But a 20-minute video was the centerpiece of the day.
Six people — most with Staples connections — told their harrowing stories on camera.
Marc Sholes described breaking his neck, and the agonizing years that followed, when he rode in a car driven by a drunk Staples friend.
Tyler Head got in an accident a couple of minutes from home, driving drunk. In the aftermath, his fiancee left him.
Current senior Sylvie Lexow talked about her father’s drinking and driving — and what followed.
Teacher Cathy Dancz had to identify her brother’s body, and pick out a coffin. Her kids will never have an uncle or cousins.
Cathy Dancz’s life was shattered when her brother died.
Josh Reed left Staples to ride, high, in a car that raced down Sturges Highway. He marvels no one died.
And 1st responder Jason Bernstein helped carry 4 friends out of mangled metal. He was there as they drew their last breaths, choking on their own blood and teeth.
TAG — led by 12th grade filmmaker/editor Grace Kosner, with help from Gabbie LeBlanc, Meghan Lonergan, Caitlin Hoberman and Kendall Rochlin — has produced a stunning video.
The video is below. It’s hard to watch. But it could be the most important 20 minutes of your week.
Or — if it saves a life — ever.
(Click here if your browser does not take you directly to Vimeo.)
Dan, how can i post this on facebook? thank you for putting it your blog
Thank YOU, Marc, for your part in this video. Just cut-and-paste this link on your Facebook page: http://06880danwoog.com/2014/05/15/grim-reaper-visits-staples-2/#comment-71284
Powerful. TAG continues to do great things by bringing this discussion front and center, and yes, it makes a huge difference.
Thanks for this gift to high school and college students.
Charlie
Charles Taylor
Director of Major Gifts
Vanderbilt University
School of Engineering
Mailing address:
PMB 401531
Nashville, TN 37240-1531
615-322-4732-office
615-294-9624-cell
615-343-2060-fax
Charles.taylor@vanderbilt.edu
Thank you TAG and thanks Dan for posting.
May I share this on Facebook?
~andi
Sent from my iPhone
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I would be honored if you would. I hope this video is seen far and wide.
Powerful education, indeed, for people of all ages.
I’m sure that everyone knows of someone harmed, paralyzed, or killed by senselessness.
I certainly remember Laurie Clark (Staples ’76).
And, I remember my cousin Nancy, killed at age seven while walking to school.
Utter senselessness.
If any of your friends/acquaintances have trouble understanding why drinking and driving is a bad idea, the attached should sober them up…quick.
xxoo Mom
PS. I am so grateful you are walking the path you have found and helping me do the same.
My dear friends Danny Fluet and Mike Oldfield died the year we were to graduate. I am class of 1980.