Lakewood is One School Getting the Word Out

Deputy Dan German

Prom season is in full swing, and a lot of area high school students are saying ‘no’ to drinking alcohol on the big night.

Lakewood’s Resource Officer, Deputy Dan German, says ‘prom promise’ has a lot to do with that. 

“Prom Promise is really important because it is such a big night for high school juniors and seniors. You really want them to have fun and you want them to do the great things that you remember about your prom, but we want them to remember them too. We don’t want them to remember a tragedy where somebody went out, drank, drove and ended up killing somebody, themselves or their date. Those things never wash away, they are always there.”

Lakewood High School student Michael Albanese explains why he won’t be drinking on prom night. 

“First of all, you are not old enough to drink. Second, you want to remember the night, you don’t want to forget it. If you drink, you’ll just have a bad headache in the morning. You should wake up in the morning and wish that you could go back.”

Will McCoy, a student at Newark High School, explains why he promised to stay alcohol free. 

“It’s the right thing to do. There are a lot of different ways to have fun that kids don’t realize, and alcohol doesn’t need to be involved.”

Northridge High School student Megan Howard says it is important for students to get the word out to other students that drinking and driving isn’t the way to go. 

“I think it is so important because we really need to set the example for other high school students. There are a lot of kids who don’t really realize the dangers of drinking and driving. So, it is really important that those of us who do know that you could make a really, really important and horrible choice in your life the night of prom need to spread the word that it is such a bad choice because they are not only harming themselves, they could be harming somebody else.”

Daniella Brown, a student at Licking Valley High School, agrees.

“It is really important to get this message out to high schoolers because everyone feels the need to fit in, but there are better ways to fit in than getting drunk and risking your life as well as other people’s lives.”

Deputy German says it is also important for parents to understand the risks of providing alcohol to minors.

“Parents that are thinking about hosting parties with students that are under the age of 21, remember that it is against the law. It’s not the right thing to do. It’s not cool to be a cool parent all of the time. This is the one time that you have got to say no.”

Deputy German adds that if all of their hard work saves one life, it’s worth it. 

“Fifteen years ago when I got this job, it was, ‘if you could save one life.’ I’m not looking to be anybody’s hero. If we can save that one life or get that one kid that was going to drink to not drink, then it is well worth everything that we strive to do all year long.”

Area proms: ~Granville - Prom was held April 12th at Longaberger Golf Club House
~Utica - Prom was held April 19th at House of New Hope
~Watkins - Prom was held April 25th in Columbus
~Newark- Prom was held April 26th at OSU-Newark
~Licking Heights - Prom will be May 2nd in Delaware County
~Licking Valley - Prom will be May 3rd at the high school
~Newark Catholic - Prom will be May 3rd at the high school
~Lakewood - Prom will be May 10th in Hebron
~Northridge - Prom will be May 10th in Columbus
~Heath - Prom will be May 10th at Cherry Valley Lodge
~Johnstown - Prom will be May 17th in Columbus