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Prom steering committee has initial meet

Huntington North High School Principal Jeremy Gulley (background, right) addresses members of the Operation Prom 2010 Steering Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The meeting was held to discuss an awareness program on driver safety.
Huntington North High School Principal Jeremy Gulley (background, right) addresses members of the Operation Prom 2010 Steering Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The meeting was held to discuss an awareness program on driver safety. Photo by Andre B. Laird.

Members of the Operation Prom 2010 steering committee met on Wednesday, Nov. 10 to map out details of a pre-prom activity.

The group, made up of representatives from various community agencies, met at Huntington North High School to discuss an awareness program to warn seniors about the dangers of texting while driving as well as drunk driving.

Buddy Brennan, of Parkview Huntington Hospital EMS, who led the discussion, noted that the emphasis of the program should be on the dangers of texting while driving, as that has become a trend among high school students.

The program, which is slated to be held a few days before senior prom, will include a simulation of a crash as well as video presentation.

It has been offered in previous years; the last time was in 1998.

Brennan talked about the success of the program and its impact on seniors, especially when the program is offered shortly before the event.

In order to accomplish the task of presenting it, Huntington North Principal Jeremy Gulley stressed that it would take a joint effort.

"Our senior count is 425 students and keeping everything flowing and on time would require proper planning and manpower," Gulley stated. "There are restrictions on how many of my staff I could use, since it would be held on a school day and classes would be still be going on for other students."

The committee also agreed that using drama students for the simulation part of the program would have a deeper impact. Collaboration with HN's drama department was discussed.

The proposed date and location of the simulation is May 6, in the parking lot facing the tennis courts.

Prior to the event, literature and key chains about texting and driving will be handed out to the seniors and students will be reminded of the upcoming program.

Gulley thanked the committee for its efforts in restarting the program and said he felt that it was needed.

Brennan added that most high schools offer the program in one form or another and was excited that after a long hiatus Huntington North seniors would also have that opportunity.

"It's something that once you see it, it stays with you," he stated. "We want that to be something they think about, which results in them making smarter choices."

The committee will reconvene on Jan. 13, at which time it will present Gulley with detailed information on the program and agencies involved.

Committee members also present at the meeting were Anna Marsh and Doug Selig, Parkview Huntington Hospital; Carla Gebert and Claudia Paterson, Parkview Huntington Hospital EMS; Brandon Taylor, Huntington County EMA; Tony Eller, Huntington County Communications; Phillip Zahm, Huntington County Rescue; Tom Emley, Huntington Police Department; Maggie Steensma and Julie Wade, Huntington North High School; Steve McIntyre, Huntington City Council and Matt Armstrong, Huntington Fire Department.