SAHS > Souderton Area High School Students Stage White Out Day on 25th Anniversary of SADD

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) at Souderton Area High School organized a visual way of getting their point across to others. The point? Destructive decisions have negative consequences.

"I died from driving too fast," explained Kelsey Dickey, a senior, one of 80 students to participate in the second annual White Out Day.

What she really meant was that as a student volunteer victim, Kelsey opted to wear a sign that stated, "Don't talk to me. I am just a memory. I am a victim of driving too fast." According to school nurse, Mrs. Peg Whomsley, the goal for the White Out Day was to bring awareness to students of the very real consequences of poor decision-making. "It was coincidental that the day we selected, November 2, was the 25th anniversary of Students Against Drunk Driving," she said.

Throughout the school day, the Grim Reaper, school personnel dressed in costume, appeared in various classrooms bearing the sign, "I have come for..." The student then left class and went to the nurse's office to paint their face with white paint and select the message they would wear for the remainder of the day. Once they made the transition, they could no longer speak. Other self-destructive messages included drunk driving, self injury (suicide), smoking, and binge drinking.

"It was hard not talking," said Kelsey, "but it was a lot of fun."