CLEVELAND - North Georgia students will spend the weeks before prom season this year educating fellow students on the dangers of drinking and driving. And, they'll be able to spread the word more effectively thanks to grant money from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
According to Pioneer RESA in Cleveland, students in SADD chapters in 13 North Georgia jurisdictions received a total of $62,500 in grant money to get the message across that drinking while driving can be deadly. Grant money will be shared among chapters of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapters in the following jurisdictions: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Gainesville, Gainesville City Schools, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Union and White.
Heather Barrett is the advisor for East Hall High School's SADD chapter and said her students are enthusiastic about their mission.
"They bring their own stories to the table," said Barrett. "All of them have a story...sometimes it's about a parent that's had an accident."
East Hall will use its $2,000 grant to share with students on their campus the message of staying sober during prom season. The money is restricted to that use, although Barrett said the SADD chapter has other messages to share.
"It's everything. It's not just drinking and driving...it's everything...any kind of destructive decision," Barrett said. "And the kids take a hold of that."
Barrett said that her students focused most recently on educating the student body at EHHS about the dangers of texting while driving. This semester the group will focus on the triggers and prevention of teen depression.
Barrett said what she enjoys most about advising the students in the SADD chapter is the fact that the students don't have to meet any special academic requirements to participate, nor do they have to pay dues. She said it's a club where everyone can participate and feel that they're making a contribution to a worthy cause.
Tuesday
May 7th, 2024
5:31PM
