This week the winners of the 4th Annual Roberts Auto Center Scholarship Contest were announced. Roberts hosted a lovely noon reception for the 13 finalists. Three of the seniors were awarded $1500 scholarships and ten were treated to $100 book allowances. All of them were excited to learn they each would receive two tickets to Country Fever. Over the past several weeks, I have shared with you the responses to some of the questions on the application. It is my hope that their well thought out answers opened your eyes to just a part of their reality. The last part of the series covers drinking and driving under the influence. Please take this as an opportunity to talk to your kids about peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, sex and about their world in general. Recently I heard an interview with the principal of Dallas’ Gifted and Talented School ranked number one in Newsweek Magazines annual Top 100 schools in America. He said, “Our kids really aren’t interested in how much we know. They are interested in how much we care.” How profound.



Write a brief essay of the perils of under-aged drinking and driving under the influence of intoxicants.



“For one, the brain has not fully developed yet and excessive drinking can harm the brain cells. Another risk is the fact that teens become more susceptible to trying other things such as drugs and sex.”



“A critical problem in the youth of today is their ignorance of the sever effects of alcohol. It is often misconstrued that the laws concerning the age of drinking are inconsequential. However, these laws are in actuality, terribly crucial. Adolescence is the period of rapid growth; this makes the body more sensitive to chemicals. The number of unnatural deaths of teens in relation to alcohol is astounding. Teenagers often rely on alcohol as a social crutch.”



“I do not think underage drinking and driving will ever stop in our world. However, I do think there are ways to stop some people from drinking and driving. I think be telling people the possible outcomes if they choose to drink and drive, then they may change their minds. If an officer stopped you and your BAC was above 0.08 you would be considered a drunk driver. You would then be facing a suspended license, DUI, and fees that average out to about $1200. In Oklahoma drinking and driving is the leading cause of death for those under the age of 30.”



“To drink or not to drink? This is a question that under age people ask themselves. Sadly, it is often answered with, “to drink.” Not just underage people, but everyone who becomes intoxicated opens themselves and everyone else close to them, to dangerous and sometimes fatal consequences. For instance, a seventeen year old girl might have too much to drink, then bad things happen, and she ends up pregnant.”



“Underaged drinking is a major problem with kids today. Drinking is perceived as being cool, but the consequences are too high. Being addicted to alcohol can completely destroy your life. I have an uncle that was once an alcoholic. He ruined nearly thirty years of his life. During this time alcohol and being drunk consumed his life. He missed out on time raising his kids and even missed out on time with some of his grandchildren.”



“I have seen so many of my friends and classmates turn towards alcohol these past few years. Most of then no longer care about graduating or even showing up to school. They only care about partying and having a good time. When they are drunk they do not think. A lot of bad and crazy things can happen then. Drinking and driving for one. I have a friend who drinks all the time, and recently he tried to drive home. He plowed into some trees! He wasn’t hurt this time. Who knows about next time though. It is dumb to risk your life for a good feeling that does not even last and makes you feel bad in the mornings. Teens do not need to drink and teens drinking then driving is just senseless.”



“Peer pressure leads to most of the underaged drinking that occurs today. Kids are pressured by their “friends” to drink, even if they do not want to. After drinking, most underaged people have to go home, so that their parents do not find out that they have been drinking. Underaged people do not usually drink just one drink. They usually get very drunk, when they do drink.”



“The problem doesn’t stop with just the teen becoming drunk and the consequences associated with hangover and headaches. Once under the influence teens feel ten foot tall and bullet proof as if they can do anything. That leads to drug use, sexual activity, thoughts of suicide, and getting behind the wheel of a car and thinking they are all right to drive.”



“Imagine yourself riding home with a group of friends. They burst into laughter as you tell them the new joke you heard a few weeks ago. You lean down to change the radio station, but all of the sudden you are forced into your seat by an airbag that seems to punch you in the stomach. You are suddenly knocked unconscious. “Where am I?” you ask as you awake hours later in the hospital. You are surrounded by faces which seem familiar, but express a certain weariness you have never known. Your mother sits beside you, and with tears in her eyes she tells you that you are the only one who survived the wreck. You were hit by a drunk driver. Your life will never be the same. Now imagine that you were the drunk driver. Could you live with yourself? I couldn’t. I choose to be alcohol free. I choose to be quilt free.”



I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this unique peek into the world our young people. I appreciate Roberts Auto Center sharing the applications with me and I celebrate their genuine care and compassion for our young people. Please continue to keep the lines of communication open with your children. Remember – they care about how much we care!