Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
BESSEMER JUNIORS and seniors gathered in the multi-purpose room in the A.D. Johnston School in Bessemer to listen to a safety briefing by trooper Jerry Mazurek and sheriff's deputy Brandon Lyons, left,on Friday. The kids were encouraged to look out for each other and be safe, as more kids die between the prom and graduation than any other time of year, according to Lyons.
By IAN MINIELLY
Bessemer - "More teens are killed between prom night and graduation night than any other time of the year," said Gogebic County Sheriff's Department deputy Brandon Lyons at a prom safety program Friday afternoon in Bessemer.
Michigan State Police and the GCSD visited Ironwood last Wednesday and Bessemer Friday in an effort to keep kids safe, while encouraging good choices.
All the schools on the Michigan side of the border between Ontonagon and Ironwood were afforded the opportunity to order the free AAA give-aways and program materials, according to trooper Jerry Mazurek from the MSP.
Ironwood and Bessemer were the only schools to extend the invitation.
Lyons recalled his days in school as a junior and senior, hearing a similar message and how to his young mind he was thinking "yeah right, blah, blah, blah, but the problem is, it's not blah, blah, blah. I have held a young person in my arms as he died."
During the message, Lyons held up a poster with two local young men who died in an automobile accident and described being on the scene when it happened. The passenger was sober and the driver was drunk. Lyons is still haunted by it.
Lyons and Mazurek told the Bessemer junior and seniors, "It is your job to look out for each other. If you see your buddy doing something foolish, it is your job to stop them."
One of the methods law enforcement suggested to the kids is the use of a code with their parents. For example, if the kid sends a text message with the letter "X," it means, "I need help, come rescue me."
"Deal with the consequences later of whatever you might have drunk or taken when you are home and safe," is the message of law enforcement. Do not compound one poor choice with another that has eternal consequences.
Mazurek said, "There is not a parent that would not exchange your life today for the consequences of tomorrow."
Mazurek also addressed safely using social media. He explained how employers and colleges will review potential candidates' social media accounts for red flags and people need to be aware of what they put on the internet because it stays there permanently.
Lyons discussed, "No, means no," with the students and how it boils down to respect for each other as a person. Lyons encouraged the kids not to push the envelope and remember, "No, means no every time. When someone says no, it stops. There is a world of trouble going past no."
The kids were encouraged to sign a poster provided by AAA as a pledge to not drink and drive. The poster will be on display during prom as a reminder to the students of their pledges.
