04/29/2019
**Please be aware, this is a mock accident scene as part of the Shattered Dreams program.**
Shattered Dreams is a two-day, school-based program that promotes responsible decision-making among high school students regarding underage drinking and impaired driving.
Victoria West, in conjunction with local emergency responders, staged a mock car accident with fatalities in front of the school. EMS, Fire Department, the Department of Public Safety, Victoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Victoria Police Department along with P.H.I. (the local hospital medical helicopter service) were at Victoria West to respond to the "accident." After the mock accident scene, students who observed the "accident" were taken back to class. Throughout the day, students were pulled out of class by "death" to represent a life that is taken every 15 minutes from a drunk driving accident.
That evening, students who "passed" attended a retreat on campus to further discuss the program. The next day, a memorial service was held at the gym for those students who passed away in the mock accident scene. Parents of the students spoke on their behalf and guest speakers, men who are serving time for drinking and driving, ended the program by speaking to the students on how their decisions impacted their lives forever.
School administrators and the students participating in the program hope that Shattered Dreams can prevent a tragic event of this nature from actually happening by educating students of the serious nature of underage drinking, impaired and distracted driving.
A special thank you to VWHS Instructional Coach Stephanie Hodde for putting the program together, to the amazing student actors, and to the wonderful volunteers from throughout the community for participating.