Thrall students learn dangers of drunk driving
THRALL — Thrall High School students got a sobering reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence.
The school’s Parent Teacher Organization hosted “Shattered Dreams,” a program about drinking and driving that simulates the outcomes of choices, Thursday, May 2.
“If we can make an impact and save one life, then we succeeded,” PTO President Melissa Meiske said. “Just to make a difference in one life.”
Thrall High School Parent-Teacher Organization allowed students to choose which parts they played during the “Shattered Dreams” program Thursday, May 2. Parts included a drunk driver, dead on arrival victims, injured victims and “walking dead” individuals. Photo by Valeria Perez
Meiske said the student body watched a scene where emergency crews worked on their friends who had been injured due to making “poor choices,” getting behind the wheel or in the car while intoxicated. Student actors were driven off in an ambulance and a hearse. In the program, the mock drunk driver is arrested and taken away in a police car.
“The mother of one of the [dead on arrival actors] came in hysterical to find her son,” Meiske said. “Making it even more impactive.”
In addition, 13 student actors attended classes dressed as the “walking dead” throughout the day, representing drunk driving statistics and remaining silent throughout the day.
Speakers for Shattered Dreams included Williamson County Precinct 4 Constable Paul Leal, who spoke about making the right choices and Ellen Wolf, whose daughter was hit by a drunk driver.
Meggie Bow and Lisa Debault, who both had a relative die after getting in the car with a drunk driver and Tom Crawford, whose daughter was one of the four James Bowie High School girls hit by a drunk driver, also spoke to Thrall students.
According to Meiske, this is the third time the high school has participated in the Shattered Dreams program. She said Thrall HS put it on in 2015 and 2021.
Student actors performed various drunk driving scenarios during the “Shattered Dreams” program at Thrall High School Thursday, May 2. Photo by Emily Frase
Thirteen Thrall High School students were cast as “walking dead” actors, which represented a drunk driving victim statistic. The individuals remained silent in class throughout the day. Photo courtesy of Thrall Independent School District
“Shattered Dreams” used a mock car crash scene to illustrate the costs of making “poor choices” like driving under the influence. Photo by Valeria Perez
“Shattered Dreams” happened in both Thrall High School’s parking lot and gymnasium Thursday, May 2. Organizers said a helicopter would have participated, if not for the weather. Photo courtesy of Thrall Independent School District
The “grim reaper” showed up at the fatal crash scenes to illustrate the deadly nature of drunk driving. Photo courtesy of Thrall Independent School District
“Shattered Dreams” was brought to Thrall High School in order to teach students the consequences of drunk driving. Photo courtesy of Thrall Independent School District
