My side of the line
Every 15 Minutes

By Rebecca JamesCourie
Editor-in-Chief

The front cover of this issue depicts a scene that no one ever wants to witness—the death of our young children.  It’s actually part of a scene from an accident-driven play called, Every 15 Minutes.

Three years ago, I was the new sports and education reporter for the COURIER and this was one of my first assignments.  Needless to say, it was a gripping experience to watch tall Chuck Zetterberg, draped in a dark robe, move silently throughout the campus—his hooded face made pallor with gray makeup.  Stirred into action by the eerie gong of the death knell, Chuck was the grim reaper who touched the shoulder of those students who were “killed.” Silently the students would leave their classes and go to another classroom where their faces would be made into a death mask—only to return to their daily schedule in quiet solitude without speaking to another person, almost ghostlike.  A somber attitude settled upon the school like a dark cloud.

Then, I accompanied a police officer when he went to deliver the news to a father that his child had been “killed” in an automobile accident.  Now, you know that the father had given permission for his child to participate in this play.  However, when he was delivered the news of the “death,” he broke down and cried.  It was heart-wrenching.  Just the reality of what could have been hit too close to home.

The school performs this play every two years so that the class, which witnessed the play, would perform it as seniors.  I applaud CHS staff and students, as well as the police department, fire department, emergency services and Todd’s Memorial, for the many parts they play in making this enactment so real, so thought provoking. 

But all of this comes with a double message.  The play brings home the message of what could happen when driving under the influence or riding with someone who is driving under the influence.  It also means making a decision.  During an assembly at the end of the play, students pledged to live a life free of alcohol and drugs.  As adults we, too, must pledge. It’s not “us and them.” We are all in this together.  We are all connected.  We must pledge to our children that we will be examples, we will be mentors, we will be the figureheads they need.  Then, perhaps one day we won’t have to shock our children with the harsh reality of this play.  Our children will, instead, have the tools with which to make honorable, ethical and logical decisions.