Blood flowed in the Ithaca High School parking lot as firefighters worked to free trapped passengers in a simulated drunken driving wreck on Friday, May 26. The event was designed to teach students about the dangers of drunken driving by having them witness those dangers firsthand.
Because of the threat of rain, the presentation began later than originally planned. After a few general warnings about drunk driving, IHS Security Guard Jim Varricchio took the floor. He focused the earlier presenters’ general warnings with personal tales.
A former New York State trooper, Varricchio saw a number of car accidents during his career, but the worst accident he has ever seen involved a drunk driver. Varricchio recalled, “There was a little boy laying in the middle of the road. He was dead.”
Many students were moved by the account.Varricchio added, “What I’m trying to impress upon you is that your decisions affect other people.”
Following the opening presentation in the gym, students in grades 11 and 12 were led out to the parking lot, and students in grades 9 and 10 were left in the gymnasium to watch the events outside via live feed.
Caitlin B. ’06, Thandiwe F. ’08, Michael J. ’06, Amanda L. ’06, Anna L. ’06, Sean O. ’07, Tyrone P. ’08, Adriane T. ’06, Jon T. ’07, and Rafael V. ’06 presented the drunk driving skit.
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