Bringing Awareness to Underage Drinking

Ten members from the Class of 2022 at Morristown High School braved the cool temperatures and windy conditions to place 500 colorful pinwheels on the front lawn. Each one represents 10 of 5,000 annual deaths among underage youth, attributed to alcohol abuse. Brightly colored yard signs accompany the eye catching display and highlight this statistic.

The Pinwheel Prevention Program was sponsored by the Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris. (CCSHM). “This is the 4th year that I have participated in this meaningful program and I still get overwhelmed when I think of what each of these pinwheels stands for,” said Mrs. Susan Mele, Student Assistance Counselor and Sophomore Class Advisor.

The pinwheels serve as a reminder to make healthy decisions during a time when students may be thinking about having a drink, especially during Homecoming season. Sophomore Class Secretary, Alison Argueta, stated, “The pinwheels are meant to warn teens that drinking can be dangerous” and “it is important that we truly realize that.” Aside from the pinwheels “sending a message,” she thought that they “looked really beautiful once they were all up and spinning.”

Christian Fox, a Sophomore Representative and participant, commented on “how long it took to put out the pinwheels” because of the “number of deaths that they represented.” He stated that it made him feel “sad” and that there “needs to be change.”

Vice President, Christopher Ruiz, stated, “I think it was great to see so many kids helping out” with the Pinwheel Project. He added, “I had no idea how many people were affected” and he expressed thanks for the project “bringing everyone together.” He also stated, “I think all of us are a little better for it” but that we “just need to raise more awareness!”

Finally, Mrs, Mele concluded, “It’s powerful when you think of what the pinwheels represent and I hope that they have a positive impact on our students.”