My Experience in Every 15 Minutes

   Thursday and Friday I participated in a program called Every 15 Minutes. E-15 is used to teach teens the potential consequences for driving under the influence. On Thursday I was pulled out of class by the Grim Reaper and my face was painted white and black. After that I went back to class had to ignore all the people that were trying to get me to talk. (I was dead, so I couldn't talk). Then we all went to the football field where we watched the SLAM. It was a simulated car crash. It was very scary seeing kids that I know all bloody, and some of them dead. One went "through" the windshield, one was stuck in the back of the car, paralyzed, and the other was airlifted out by helicopter. About 6 others were covered in blood, running around, acting as if they'd just gotten into a car accident.
   After the SLAM we all sat in a classroom for about 4 hours. Naturally we got bored and got creative. There were people playing soccer, twerking, homework, you name it. So when school let out we drove to this nice hotel in our town and checked in and such. That was a very nice hotel and we had a room on the 2nd floor. We had a few hours to chill, or sleep, or just wander around before the speaker came. Most of us went down to the pool. After a few hours the speaker, Wendy Reynolds, came and we played team/trust building exercises then went in to do the next part of the program. At first we talked to a cop about drinking and driving in general. Then Wendy began telling her story. It was very inspirational and eye opening. Her mom, dad, and one year old sister were killed by a drunk driver when she was just five years old. She barely made it and now shares her story, making a difference on countless lives. Most of us were crying, hearing her story, but that was just the beginning.
   Next, she turned out the lights and lit a candle. We passed the candle around and basically spilled our guts. Some spoke of how the program changed their outlook and others shared alcohol related tragedies. It was really, really emotional. I don't think there was a dry eye in that room. I mean, some people were weeping it was so deep. I know all of us in that room are closer and share a special connection.
   The next day we woke up, ate breakfast and headed back to school. Our faces were painted again and we set up the gym for the assembly. It was a mock funeral, in a way, and flowers were placed on a casket. There was also a slideshow of the SLAM and the pictures were too real; it was scary. Then a video was played showing one of my friends, the one that was in the helicopter, dying in the hospital, and the drunk driver being put in prison.. All of us that participated in E-15 were crying. It was so sad seeing someone that we've known for years dying, even knowing it wasn't real. After that, Wendy told her story and then letters were read by friends and family of those that died. (We all had to write letters to friends and family.)
   I was ok until I saw my friends. I don't know why. I guess I just realized how horrible it would be if any one of them were gone. The whole program was very emotional, but it was an experience I'll never forget. I'm very glad I participated and I know I won't ever look at things the same.