To the editor:

The South Whidbey High School leadership class, along with Whidbey Island Academy students, demonstrated a mock “Driving while Under the Influence” car crash on May 8. The purpose was to educate students on the serious risks that result from drinking and driving a day before the senior prom.

Following the mock car crash, students were led into the auditorium for a mock trial and a mock memorial service to raise awareness of the life-long consequences of drinking and driving.

On behalf of South Whidbey High School, we would like to thank the following individuals and their staff that were involved in this event. We could not have made this happen without these vital community members.

THANK YOU: Jerry Beck, Island County fire chief and staff; Judge Vickie I. Churchill; Island County Prosecuting Attorney Greg Banks; Jenni Patti, funeral director; Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Beck; State Trooper Dave Martin; Sgt. Rick Norrie; Forest Hughes, fire chief; Sheriff Mark Brown; Robert Bishop, coroner; Susan Higman, coroner; Connie Shields, medical captain; Bill Stolcis, chief paramedic; Frank Mueller, EMS and Robert May, EMS.

Rachelle Bennett and South Whidbey students