Burns Valley seventh and eighth graders participated in presentations from Team DUI, a local organization tasked with getting the word out about the dangers of drinking and driving and the ongoing effects such choices can have.

The students witnessed a video that depicted the stories of one accident and the effect it had on the victims, the perpetrator, the victims family and the perpetrators family.

The interconnectedness of the loss experience was palpable as the in-person presenters followed the video with stories of loss experienced locally and the lasting effects it has had on our community. The speakers consisted of family members, first responders and law enforcement.

In this case, one of these stories rang personal to me, as I had been a member of the close knit community that suffered the loss of young people so many years ago.

As the stories were shared, students responded with grief, anger, disbelief and eventually gained an understanding that they held the power to make the choices that could effect, either positively or negatively, an entire community.

They were asked, “Would you want that to be your mom?” They were informed that “One bad decision, can often lead to another bad decision. Some bad decisions don’t get a do over.” Then they were encouraged to “take the time to make a plan to stay safe.”

They brainstormed together some of the ways to stay safe when faced with the decisions around drinking and driving.

I think the empowering discussion really struck a chord with the teachers and they assured students that there would be more time to talk about these options back in class.

Burns Valley students and staff would like to reiterate a big thank you to Team DUI for your continued efforts to keep the community safe and free from the detrimental effects of drinking and driving.

You can also look Team DUI up on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-Team-DUI/139543449427904 .

Gina Fortino Dickson lives in Clearlake, Calif.