TWIN FALLS • Students vanished from their classrooms one by one Wednesday at Canyon Ridge High School.They returned silently, wearing ghostly white makeup and black cloaks.
The annual “Every 15 Minutes” program aims to teach students about the dangers of drinking and driving and refers to the statistic that a person is killed in an alcohol-related collision every 15 minutes in the United States.
The Twin Falls School District and Police Department partner on the program which is held each spring as students gear up for prom and other events where they might have the opportunity to drink and drive.
“Our first goal is to educate citizens, even our youngest citizens,” said city spokesman Joshua Palmer.
Every 15 Minutes is put on by schools nationwide and has shown success in decreasing the number of alcohol-related crashes involving teens, Palmer said.
In 2013, Canyon Ridge Vice Principal Mike Gemar said it’s important to target seniors, who will soon be leaving high school.
“It has the most direct impact,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Dennis Pullin said the 16 students are chosen carefully each year. Each student is a leader who knows many other students. Their absence will be noticed, he said, and their involvement in the program is designed to impact as many students as possible.
Wednesday night, students stayed with officers at a hotel, learning about police work, watching movies and preparing for the next day.
The annual “Every 15 Minutes” program aims to teach students about the dangers of drinking and driving and refers to the statistic that a person is killed in an alcohol-related collision every 15 minutes in the United States.
The Twin Falls School District and Police Department partner on the program which is held each spring as students gear up for prom and other events where they might have the opportunity to drink and drive.
“Our first goal is to educate citizens, even our youngest citizens,” said city spokesman Joshua Palmer.
Every 15 Minutes is put on by schools nationwide and has shown success in decreasing the number of alcohol-related crashes involving teens, Palmer said.
In 2013, Canyon Ridge Vice Principal Mike Gemar said it’s important to target seniors, who will soon be leaving high school.
“It has the most direct impact,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Dennis Pullin said the 16 students are chosen carefully each year. Each student is a leader who knows many other students. Their absence will be noticed, he said, and their involvement in the program is designed to impact as many students as possible.
Wednesday night, students stayed with officers at a hotel, learning about police work, watching movies and preparing for the next day.
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