SLHS Experiences The Power Of Choice With Drinking And Driving
By Abby Dulin
On Wednesday April 27, a mock drinking and drive/texting accident was portrayed at the Spirit Lake High School for the students. There was one death on the scene of the nine victims within the accident, Kelsey Delperdang. Students included in the event: Nick Goodenow, Morgan Wolff, Tyler Jenness, Kelsey Delperdang, Erin Block, Hannah DeWild, Ryan Maris, Olivia Lopez, and Kyler Olsen. The Lakes Regional Healthcare ambulance came to the scene along with Spirit Lake Fire and Rescue. Morgan Wolff was taken into custody as the drunken driver and would act in a court scene later that same day. Tyler Jenness, a seriously injured victim from the accident, would lose his life in the ER scene right before the trial. Wolff was charged with two homicides along with some texting and driving charges. Throughout the day, every fifteen minutes another student was taken from class to get their face painted white and was not allowed to talk, without technology. The students were taken out to Camp Foster for the night to make an impact on friends and family that were affected.
The next day, a double funeral was presented for Tyler Jenness and Kelsey Delperdang. Both families gave speeches about their children along with a presentation of white roses placed on the caskets by the students taken every fifteen minutes. Tyler and Kelsey were reunited with their families by walking down the aisles of the Sami holding white roses. There was almost not a dry eye in the theater as the families were reunited. Both families were tear-filled after the emotional rollercoaster. The “Power of Choice” program has been demonstrated many times throughout the area and by presenting it at SLHS, hopefully students will now think twice before getting in a car after drinking.
The next day, a double funeral was presented for Tyler Jenness and Kelsey Delperdang. Both families gave speeches about their children along with a presentation of white roses placed on the caskets by the students taken every fifteen minutes. Tyler and Kelsey were reunited with their families by walking down the aisles of the Sami holding white roses. There was almost not a dry eye in the theater as the families were reunited. Both families were tear-filled after the emotional rollercoaster. The “Power of Choice” program has been demonstrated many times throughout the area and by presenting it at SLHS, hopefully students will now think twice before getting in a car after drinking.