March 23, 2005

“Juniors and Seniors Think Twice”

                 Drug and alcohol use during prom and graduation has almost become a rite of passage in Perry County, but youth attending the 2005 Junior/Senior Conference indicate they will be thinking twice before they take part.  The seventh annual Junior/Senior Conference sponsored by the Perry County Community Task Force, had a more profound influence on participating youth this year than it had in the past three years, according to statistics.

             All attending youth saw the video “Stop The Knock,” which portrayed the sorrow and dismay a family endures when told their child died in a car accident.  Later, youth witnessed a crash reenactment in which local junior and seniors participated.  Youth involved in accident reenactment were arrested for drunk driving, taken away in an ambulance, air evacuated to another hospital by helicopter, or pronounced dead on the scene.  Elmo Donze was the master of ceremonies for this event.

             Shaun Hays, a national motivational speaker and author from Chicago was also brought in to speak at the Junior/Senior Conference.  Shaun is a chalk artist who grew up thinking the world was against him and later turned his life around and began telling his life story to youth in effort to prevent them from having the same problems.  Shaun created a massive chalk art picture during his presentation.  This picture will be displayed at both Perryville High School and St. Vincent High School to remind the youth of Shaun’s message.  Shaun also donated some books he had written to the schools for youth to access.

                 Some youth stated “this year’s conference was awesome!  We really got a lot out of it.”  Other attendees said “Thank you!  Shaun was awesome and really made a difference.”

Statistics obtained from youth attending the conference indicated 93% found the conference beneficial, 73% felt they were more likely to decide not to use alcohol and other drugs as a result of the conference, and 98% felt other people would benefit from attending the conference.

             The Perry County Community Task Force would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their participation in this event:  Andy’s Towing Service, ARCH Medical Helicopter, County Coroner, Meyer Bus Lines, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Perry County Ambulance, Perry County School Dist. 32, Perry County Sheriff Department, Perry Park Center, Perryville Fire Department, Perryville Police Department, POM Mahathath, Republic Monitor, Southeast Regional Support Center, St. Vincent High School, University of Missouri Extension, Winkler’s Wrecker Service, Elmo Donze, Bridget Etzoldt, Gavin Flentge, Laura Gremaud, Angie Rankin, Dennis Schumer, and Brett Wiessing.  They would also like the thank the following organizations and granting agencies for funding:  ACT Missouri, Mental Health Board, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grants Program administered by U.S. Department of Justice and Missouri Department of Public Safety.