Powell Tennessee

Students reflect on driver program

After a month that featured an on-site mock wreck, a NASCAR driver and a writing assignment project on safe driving, Powell High School students and staff members took a moment last week to reflect on the PBPA-sponsored Teen Driver Awareness program held at the school during March.

Longtime Powell High teacher Debbie Arnold said the words she has not heard from the students speak volumes.

"No one commented that it was a waste of time," said Arnold, who coordinated the program at the school level. "Not one time was this is stupid said. Not one time."

The PBPA, Emory Family Practice and Rusty Wallace Honda sponsored the month long series of safe driving programs to help address the number of teen driving accidents that occurred in the community in the late 1990s and early part of this decade.

Senior Noah Case said the program has created an important discussion.

"I think it obviously needs to be pointed out that driving should not be taken lightly," Noah said. "I think it helps that as Powell students we know about this (teen accidents) personally. We know how it affects people and how they have had to deal with it."

Noah said he remembered seeing students walking the halls of the school who were later killed in automobile accidents.

"Our class is the only one that hasn't had anyone die since the seventh grade (1999-2000)," he said. "I'm very thankful for that."

Sophomore Meredith Rhea, who will soon receive her driver's license, said she is worried about the actions of others on the road.

"Driving doesn't scare me, but I won't be able to do anything about it," she said. Meredith said the program reinforced the need to be more careful when behind the wheel, "when you think about what could happen and what has (already) happened."

Sophomore Kari Dean, who began driving in January, said that she is also more defensive as a result of the program.

"Somebody (recently) backed into me," Kari said. "I assumed she would see me and stop, but she didn't. Now I'm driving defensively and assuming that everybody else is going to mess up."

Noah echoed the sentiment, saying he is also on the defensive behind the wheel.

"Im probably more aware, more defensive when I drive," he said. "I have to pay more attention to what others are doing."

Junior Mikel Towe said the mock wreck left an impression.

"Just all the blood and stuff," Mikel said. "I thought it was a good program."

Arnold, a Powell native, began coordinating the school portion of the program after principal Diane Psihogios took medical leave. Arnold said drama, creative writing, marketing and art students were all involved in the program.

"It was a school effort," she said. "Our kids were great. Their behavior in the assemblies and their respect at the mock wreck said volumes."

Students prepared posters and videos and were all assigned essays on safe driving as part of writing assessment tests. Driving age students also entered a drawing in which one student with a perfect driving record for one year will receive a 2006 Honda Civic next March donated by the PBPA, Emory Family Practice and Rusty Wallace Honda. Heritage Pools also has donated the lease of a car for one year.

"The Powell business people have made a commitment to this school and thats impressive," Arnold said.

Driving age students were also given special bumper stickers identifying them as participants in the safe driving program. One student performing safe driving procedures will be recognized each month and given a prize pack that includes gas cards and coupons for a free car wash, dinner and other items.

"I liked the program," said PHS assistant principal Kim Kallenberg. "In some ways, I wish it had started earlier, but in some ways its good that its here for the freshmen and sophomores who do not remember what it (losing classmates) was like. I think it also needs to be more than here at school. Adults in this community need to model this behavior."

Arnold has taught students who passed away or were involved in car accidents and said she has experienced such a loss in her own family.

"The first time it happens, it really does take the wind out of your sails," Arnold said. "I remember (former principal Charles) Mashburn telling me he was going to make the announcement (that a student had died) and to get ready for it. I remember thinking "I don't know how to be ready.-"I have tables and chairs in my room, so I sat on a table and said, "OK, we'll talk about this. We're in this together. How can I help you?" I listened and answered questions."

Arnold said she was impressed that the mock wreck presentation was matter-of-fact and was not presented in a lecturing manner.

"It wasn't preachy, it was just "here it is. This is what happened." It was an excellent program."