Rebel Athletes Get Pointed Reminder of Drinking Risks

For students at , part of their morning on Wednesday was spent being reminded that the decisions that they make affect not only themselves, but others as well. During the first two periods of the day, presentations were put on by performing arts students giving monologues about a hypothetical party attended by hypothetical athletes as the real ones looked on.

The focus of the assembly was to remind the students of the consequences of drinking beyond just the physical dangers. Issues from peer pressure, to physical lapses of judgement to the faltering of role models were brought up by the student performers. And while the situations were not based on any real events, it was clear from the reaction of the audience that the topic was not something that was beyond the realm of possibilities. 

For the athletes at Howell High School, the reminder of what can happen if they were to get into trouble for an alcohol or drugs was made that much more important. Rebel athletes sign an agreement that they will not drink or do drugs under penalty of a suspension that would in essence wipe out their season. 

For Holly Miller, a senior on the Rebel track team, the lesson was an important one for everyone in attendance. "I think it sends a message to all the athletes to tell them what it does to you when you drink," she said. "I think it's a good thing that we have these assemblies over and over again." Having the message repeated she said does not make the students tune it out, but rather reinforces how important it is to follow the lessons they take from it. "Sometimes it's emotional, but I think it really helps people," she said. 

Fellow senior Becky Dantuono, a member of the Howell cheerleading team also said it was important for the Rebels to take to heart what their fellow students were telling them. "I think it's a good thing to do because it doesn't really get through to a lot of kids," she said. "You have to keep telling them over and over that you can't drink because it does awful things to people."

Dantuono said that because the lessons were being given to the athletes it could help not only ensure that their seasons are not interrupted and they know the right thing to do in different situations, but also helped in their role at the school. "I think it's good to give it to the athletes because a lot of the kids don't really care about drinking. They don't think it matters, but people look up to athletes so I think it could really reinforce it for other kids.

Becky Dantuono- Sr. Cheerleader- I think it's a good thing to do because it doesn't really get through to a lot of kids. You have to keep telling them over and over that you can't drink because it does awful things to people. I think it's good to give it to athletes because a lot of the kids don't really care about drinking. They don't think it matters but athletes, people look up to athletes so I think it could really reinforce it for other kids. 

The assemblies were held two days after an emotional where students were again reminded of the dangers of drinking and driving.