Mock Trial at Sedona Red Rock High School

SEDONA AZ (May 4, 2011) –On Thursday and Friday, April 28-29 2011, the Sedona Fire District sponsored the “Every 15 Minutes” Program at Sedona Red Rock High School. This emotionally charged “real-life experience without real-life dangers” offers education designed to dramatically instill in teenagers the potentially dangerous consequences of drinking and driving. This powerful program challenges students to think about drinking, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are involved.

During the first day, one student at a time was removed from class approximately every 15 minutes. A police officer immediately entered the classroom to read an obituary which had been written by the “dead” student’s parent(s) – explaining the circumstances of their classmate’s demise and the contributions the student has made to the school and the community. A few minutes later, the student returned to class as the “living dead,” complete with white face make-up, a coroner’s tag, and a black T-shirt. From that point on “victims” did not speak or interact with other students for the remainder of the school day.

The second day started with a Day One recap by video, then a mock trial. Following the trial, a funeral for the two students that died in the mock accident was held that included caskets, poster size head shots of the victims, memorial videos, and a Chaplain.

After the funeral, students read letters to their parents that opened with “Dear Mom and Dad, every fifteen minutes someone in the United States dies from an alcohol related traffic collision, and today I died. I never had the chance to tell you…….”.

The good news is that death intervals are increasing, however the numbers are still too high.

This event was made possible by the Sedona Fire District, Verde Valley Medical Center, Cottonwood Fire Department, Sedona Police Department, the staff at the Sedona Red Rock High School, Guardian Air Ambulance, Go 4 Tows Towing Service, City of Sedona Judge Rodger E. Overholser, Gary Kazragais, Attorney; Jennifer Paetkau from the City of Sedona Attorney’s Office, Greer’s Mortuary, Lonnie Lilly from Arroyo Roble Best Western, The Hideaway Restaurant, Taco Del Mar Restaurant, The Audio Visual Team at the Sedona Red Rock High School, Youth Chaplain Jack Smithson, LAFS of the Verde Valley, and Guest Speaker Jason Burns. The Sedona Times Publishing is proud to provide this coverage to promote safe teen and adult driving.