THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 7, 1995 TAG: 9504050156
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
To discourage drunken driving by teenagers, Chesapeake high schools are teaming up again this year with Nationwide Insurance and several local businesses for the Prom Promise campaign.
The campaign urges teens to observe drug- and alcohol-free prom and graduation nights and educates them on the dangers of drinking and driving through a series of lectures and faculty and student planned events.
``Prom and graduation night are the most dangerous nights of the year for the students,'' said Betty Weaver, social studies teacher and coordinator of the Prom Promise campaign for Indian River High.
Weaver said Indian River has planned a number of events designed to educate the students about driving while intoxicated. On April 7, students will have the chance to get behind the wheel of a car that's been programmed to behave as if the driver were intoxicated.
``They'll see firsthand how out-of-control the vehicle is after just a few drinks,'' said Weaver. Greenbrier Chrysler is providing the vehicle.
Bobby Petrocelli, a motivational speaker, will address Indian River students on April 17. Petrocelli will tell the story of how his wife was killed in a drunken driving accident.
Western Branch and Deep Creek high schools are also participating in the program. Deep Creek High School has conducted fund-raisers to finance an all-night after-prom party.
``The party gives them a place to go after the prom so they're not tempted to go someplace and drink,'' said Page Bagley, Prom Promise coordinator for Deep Creek High School. Students of Deep Creek are also working on a 30-minute video about drinking and driving, which they plan to enter in the Prom Promise regional project competition.
All three Chesapeake schools are participating in the Prom Promise pledge drive, which asks members of the student body to sign pledge cards stating they will not drink and drive, especially during the prom season.
Weaver said her school had 100 percent participation in the pledge card drive last year and is hoping for the same response this year as are coordinators with Deep Creek and Western Branch.
This is the fifth year Hampton Roads schools have participated in the Prom Promise campaign.
KEYWORDS: PROM PROMISE ALCOHOL by CNB