The air was crisp, their steps deliberate, as members of South Ripley’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) took to the sidewalks surrounding the Ripley County Courthouse last Saturday morning, April 5. They were walking for a purpose, with each step they took representing their determination to not lose a classmate or someone they love from a dangerous decision such as drinking and driving. The theme for the Walk-A-Thon was “Changing Decisions Step by Step.”

Advisor for the club, Melanie Evans, noted that they were raising money to help with costs incurred for preventative materials for the group. “Every cent of this money will go to help get the word out,” she noted as she warmed her hands with some borrowed gloves Saturday morning. She also told The Versailles Republican that she knows typically with news media that “if it bleeds, it leads,” referring to stories with tragic outcomes mostly being the leading story, whether it’s the nightly news or the local newspaper. She doesn’t want students to make the headlines that way.

The chapter is taking an active role in getting the word out about underage drinking, impaired driving and the effects of using tobacco products, along with other destructive decisions teenagers sometimes make. “I’m trying to create a program that will save our children,” she noted, adding, “we want to promote prevention and hopefully this community will not experience the loss of a student due to bad decisions.”

With the excitement of prom just a week away, South Ripley SADD members are gearing up. Beginning Friday, April 11, they will sponsor a door decorating contest, where the displays will discourage the use of alcohol or drugs. Then next week, April 14-18, students will hear daily messages about good, positive decisions concerning drugs, alcohol, drinking and driving and abstinence. They will be invited to sign a Prom Promise card, a pledge saying they will abstain from any type of substance abuse during the prom. They will also sign a banner that will be displayed in the school’s halls before prom, serving as a reminder of their pledge.

Information from Ripley County Local Coordinating Council Coordinator Paula Goodpaster notes that 28.3 percent of 12-20 year olds drink alcohol - that’s about 10.8 million people. The survey revealed that the same group drank on an average of 5.9 days in the past month and consumed an average of 4.9 drinks per day.

Armed with statistics such as these and the awareness that underage drinking truly happens - even in small towns - Evans has made every effort to drive the message home to students, “don’t drink and drive.” Better yet, “don’t drink at all.”

SADD members are willing to take it to the limit to save someone. April 16 has been deemed “Undertaker Day.” On this day, every 30 minutes a student will be chosen to wear a T-shirt that states on the front, “I am a victim of drunk driving.” The back reads, “Every 30 minutes a person in the US is killed by a drunk driver. Don’t become a statistic. Don’t drink & drive.”

The person wearing the shirt cannot sit in their regular seat in the classroom and they are eliminated from the social circle and do not eat lunch with their fellow students. Evans says they are removed from the school day as much as possible to signify the tragedy of what has happened. “Sometimes kids don’t realize how permanent death is,” she noted.

Each attendee at the prom will receive a key chain with this inscribed: “Think of your future, Think of your date, Then think before making that fatal mistake. Don’t Drink & Drive. SADD.”

Belinda Mockbee, also a teacher at South Ripley and sponsor for the prom, was instrumental in applying for and obtaining a grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation for $500. This money will help with preventive measures such as the key chains and more. The chapter is very appreciative of this grant and invites the community to help them with their efforts. You can donate old cell phones that the chapter then sends to a company that is reflected in cash.

As prom draws near for all area schools - parents, individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to get on board with helping to fund activities needed for after prom events, and sponsor these groups trying to make a difference in the most valuable resource we have, our youth. Evans encourages parental participation and along with Mockbee, invites the public to the first ever pre-prom walk through at South Ripley Elementary School, entitled, A Walk to Remember. This will take place April 19 in the cafeteria from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for family and friends of those attending the prom to get photos and let the students know they are supported.

Both Evans and Mockbee want the students to have a fantastic evening, one they will never forget, all with good memories. They are taking the steps to ensure students are safe, providing tools to make it happen with the ultimate decision being up to the student. On the school’s SADD chapter website, Evans writes: “South Ripley SADD Chapter cares about you!”

Step by step members of SR SADD chapter walk to change decisions WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Members of South Ripley High School's SADD chapter walked around the courthouse last Saturday raising money to help purchase materials for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among students. They were joined by some school personnel, Principal Bob Meyer, Nancy Durham, teacher, and Shawn Holcomb, coach and wife Tammy; members of the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and others.