'Grim Reaper Day' Teaches Westport Students Dangers of Drinking & Driving

“ of the unfortunate statistic that someone in the United States is killed in an alcohol related automobile accident every 48 minutes,” said Lemone.

To emphasize this statistic, TAG members removed one, predetermined student from class every 15 minutes to claim as a drunk driving fatality victim.  While the remaining students in the class were informed of the terrible tragedy that happened to claim the life of their peer by local a emergency medical technician and police officer, the newly claimed victim was briefly removed from class and made up accordingly.  The student was not to speak to anyone for the remainder of the school day (with the exception of classroom related matters). 

In addition to the victims, TAG decorated both the inside and outside of with messages designed to draw attention to the seriousness of drinking and driving. 

An assembly featuring a guest speaker from MADD sharing a personal story regarding drunk driving was held during the school day.  Included in the assembly was a documentary filmed and produced by SHS student Jack Craymer and members of TAG.   

As always, the SHS Pupil Services staff and the Student Outreach Counselor were available to students who were interested in processing the events throughout the school day.

Grim Reaper Day is always eventful, impacts the student body, and is strategically held during prom and graduation period.  In the 10 years TAG has produced this event, the percentage of people killed in drunk driving accidents has dropped from one every 30 minutes to one every 48 minutes. 

TAG encourages parents of SHS students to take some time to discuss how Grim Reaper Day may have affected their children, and to remind them of our message:  Every 48 minutes someone in the United States is killed in an alcohol related automobile accident. 

TAG thanks Fairfield County Bank, LeBlanc’s Auto Wrecking, and Cain Management Incorporated for their generous support of Grim Reaper Day 2012.

Contact TAG (teenawarenessgroup@gmail.com ) or Chris Lemone (mrcounselorguy@yahoo.com or 341-1285) with thoughts or questions about Grim Reaper Day.