Thanks noted for JT mock car crash

Dear Editor

During a foggy morning on May 15 several emergency responder groups coordinated their efforts to present a "mock car crash" experience for over 200 students of the Jim Thorpe Area High School. During this realistic re-enactment of a car crash involving teenagers, the emergency personnel responded as they would at an actual accident scene. The re-enactment started with a 911 call reporting an accident in the high school parking lot. The injured victims, with mock injuries supplied by St. Luke's staff, were extracted from the car, triaged and the drunken driver arrested. Afterward, the students assembled inside to hear the role of each responding group, outcomes for victims, consequences for the driver, and questions answered.

On behalf of the JTAHS Students Against Destructive Decisions club, I would like to thank all of those who volunteered their time and effort to help make the mock car crash a success. Many of the volunteers rescheduled work and their lives for this event. Without their support, the mock car crash would not have been possible.

• All-Points Towing (Supplier of wrecked auto)

• 911 Communications Center

• Jim Thorpe Police Department

• Jim Thorpe Fire Department

• Jim Thorpe Ambulance

• St. Luke's Miners Campus Staff

• St. Luke's helicopter (Committed to the event but grounded due to the weather).

In addition, the JTAHS SADD club for organizing the event with special thanks to Gavrielle Mele, SADD student organizer, the students of JT SADD, Jane Adams, SADD adviser, Amber Castillo for her personal account of being an accident victim, and JTAHS SADD alumni Dylan Bradley and Avery Day for their added support and organization.

Knowing that this positive message impacted these students made all their planning and hard work worthwhile. If we can reach one student, then we view the "mock car crash" as a success. We know this realistic representation reached many more. Again, thank you for being proactive in helping us keep the youth of our communities safe and alive.

Thomas Lesisko

Principal