Juniors and seniors were reminded that while their upcoming Junior Ball and Senior Prom are memorable rites of passage, they also come with a responsibility to make safe choices while having a great time.
That message was reinforced today, April 28, during the High School’s PROM (Please Return on Monday) assembly, a collaborative effort between the high school administration and the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Council of Orange County. Students were encouraged to prioritize their well-being and look out for one another so everyone returns safely after their celebrations.
At the assembly, Marianne Angelillo, author of "Sharing My Stones" and a speaker for the National Safety Council and the New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, shared her candid, real-world insights about the risks associated with drinking and driving which killed her 17-year-old son Matthew in 2004.
Mrs. Angelillo initially began talking about how fortunate she was to have the wonderful life she had. She proudly spoke about all her four children, but particularly about Matthew, whose aspirations to be accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado became a reality.
Then, her comments changed to the “perfect storm” night Matthew was killed in a drunk driving accident: The father who loaned his son (Matthew's friend) his Ferrari to drive; a bonfire party filled with drinking; the critically bad choice Matthew made to get into that sports car with his drunk driver friend; no one stopping that car from leaving the bonfire party; and the void which would forever exist without Matthew being her family’s life.
As students sat in silence, Mrs. Angelillo spoke about the “tremendous wake of sorrow” that followed. She shared a video about Matthew, where images of a smiling little boy were blended with images of fishing, duck hunting, family gatherings and young men in dapper tuxedos.
Those images were mixed with snippets of television news coverage about that fatal accident; the court trial of Matthew’s friend --- the drunk driver; and the judge’s ruling and comments; with additional images and comments of a mother’s excruciating anguish weaved among those video clips.
Mrs. Angelillo implored students to find the wisdom they had from within to make smart decisions and never drink and drive; get into a vehicle with someone who was drinking; or engage in risky driving behaviors.
“One of life’s greatest sufferings is for you to be missing from your family,” she quietly said.
The themes of her presentation were quite clear.
First, Mrs. Angelillo showed students the real consequences of risky choices and how one decision can lead to irreversible loss.
She also wanted students to know the real dangers of drinking, impaired and/or reckless driving.
Mrs. Angelillo wanted students to realize how quickly life can change. By describing her son’s normal teenage activities and future plans, she wanted students to see how tragedy interrupts lives.
She also wanted students to take personal responsibility for their actions, to think not just as drivers but as passengers and friends who can intervene to keep everyone safe.
And, Mrs. Angelillo wanted students to realize the emotional impact that their bad decisions can have on families and communities.
She wished everyone a happy and memorable Junior Ball and Senior Prom, stressing that these gatherings should be remembered for the right reasons. Making making informed, responsible choices is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, she told students.
After her presentation, students were invited to sign a banner pledging they will stay sober on Junior Ball/Senior Prom night and to make smart choices about not only their personal safety but those of their friends so everyone’s well-being is ensured.
In mere minutes, hundreds of students filled the hallway outside of the cafeteria, surrounded the table and began signing their names to the banner.