Harrah High School Students Get Sobering Lesson

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

HARRAH, Oklahoma -- Students at Harrah High School are getting a sobering lesson in the dangers of drunk driving. That's because this weekend the students will be celebrating their prom and school officials want to help make sure their students play it safe.

The talk couldn't come at a better time. With the troubled economy many schools cannot afford to have after prom activities, leaving the possibility of more teens on the road making bad choices.

Standing before hundreds of students at Harrah High School, Karen Benway is hoping they don't make the same mistake her nephew did after he killed someone while driving drunk.

"Drinking and driving does have consequences, it does happen," Benway said.

A reason she is hoping a crash course on the dangers of driving drunk will make these students think twice.

"I think this was one of the most intense assemblies we've had with our kids," Harrah Principal Dale Munyon said.

Munyon is hoping the message sticks.

"We just want for them to get in the mindset to make the right decision," he said.

"Just because of the fact we're at the age we're at and there is so much of an issue with us, I think it did make an impact," senior Parker Manek said.

One hoping it sunk in is Kristi Gossett who runs Victims Impact Panel, an organization aimed at combating drunk driving.

"These kids have their prom this Saturday and I hope that they did take to heart what we had to say because a fatal accident can change a life forever," Gossett said.

Programs like these appear to be working. According to the National Highway Safety Administration drunken driving accidents involving teens are down 19 percent since 2000.

Harrah's principal says while they aren't having after prom activities, there are local church groups who will.