Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson ( Jun 02/00) - The "walking dead" in the halls of Thomas Simpson school were a poignant reminder of the troubling reality of drinking and driving.
Last Wednesday, the "dead" were 27 students and teachers at Thomas Simpson school (TSS) who walked the halls in white face paint, symbolic of death, and with the message "I was killed by a drunk driver" attached to their backs.
They represented the students killed in drunk driving accidents in North America during a school day -- one person every 23 minutes --according to student spokesperson Jennifer Simons.
Principal Robert Byatt called the statistic "staggering."
The exercise was put on by TSS's Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) group.
"It's a sad story to hear that one of your classmates has been killed in a drunk driving accident, maybe they weren't even the one driving, but it's all the same," Simons told her peers during a school assembly. "Look around at the white faces. There's family, friends and foes. They're not superstars or anything else. They're real-life people affected by real-life situations. You make the call, even if it could be your last. You decide."
Among the other events that the SADD group has tentatively planned are a mock collision, a mock trial and a presentation to elementary students at Bompas school. A designated driver program is also to be arranged for this weekend's grad ceremonies.
According to teacher/supervisor Michelle Weekes, the SADD program just took root this year. It was something that RCMP Const. Charles Quartey suggested and an idea that several of the students enthusiastically tackled.
"Those two helped all day long," Weekes said of Simons and fellow presenter Jennifer McInnis-Wharton. She added that Cathy Blondin, Tiffany Pederson and Kaylee Brown have also committed to helping out.
"They seem really excited. They want to save anybody from dying an unnecessary death."
McInnis-Wharton said the SADD program has made her realize just how many people are affected by drinking and driving.
Simons added, "It's quite scary."