ATLANTA — Students and parents stood along the sidewalk watching as firefighters pulled one of their own from a mangled car and placed him on a stretcher.
This was a demonstration — a reenactment of a fatal car accident scene performed Saturday by members of Clayton County Fire as part of Southside Brain Camp at Delta Flight Museum.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Clayton County Public Schools and Safe America Foundation collaborated to put on the event targeting middle and high school students from around metro Atlanta.
The partnership brought together experts on subjects such as peer pressure, cyber-bullying and safe driving, increasingly concerning issues for parents like Angela Ramsey.
Ramsey watched as her daughter, Jordan Atkins, attempted to round orange cones set in a line on the patio at Delta Flight Museum. Atkins, an eighth-grader at Morrow Middle, turned with noticeable angst between tall cones as she attempted to type something on her iPhone.
For most of the morning, youngsters clumsily navigated the small obstacle course — an exhibit designed to demonstrate the level of distraction from texting while driving.
“I wanted them to be aware of the importance of learning how to drive,” said Ramsey, who declared a small victory in teaching her daughter early about the dangers of distracted driving.
Saturday’s event included a SafeTeen Driver Academy for high school students and a Safe Tomorrow Workshop for middle schoolers.
The workshop featured former Miss New York Amanda Mason. She shared insights on succeeding in high school, handling peer pressure and dealing with bullies.
The academy included topics for teens on safe driving, getting one’s first job, having a career mentor and setting long-term goals.
Jennie Glasgow with Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance was on hand, informing drivers and future motorists about the perils of trespassing on railroad tracks and not obeying the law at railroad crossings.
Scott Morrison, a compliance analyst with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, took questions from attendees across the way. He said most participants were eager to learn how to get a driver’s license, but he encouraged them to pursue driving school or driver courses before setting out on the road.
“A lot of them don’t know that you cannot talk on your cell phone at all if you’re under 18-years-old,” said Morrison, adding that texting is not allowed on the road even if you are stopped at a traffic light, according to state law.
Seventh-graders Jamil Boney of Elite Scholars Academy, and James Burnett and Preston Walton, both students at M.D. Roberts Middle, participated in a computer-simulated exhibit that measures breaking speed.
Beside them stood American Red Cross volunteers Victor Ojeda and Troy Sandifer who talked about the benefits of joining the organization and becoming certified in first aid and CPR.
“You’re never too young to know exactly what to do,” said Sandifer.
“It’s important to learn these skills because you want to be the one that steps up, not the one that steps back,” added Ojeda.
Marcus Holston was invited to Southside Brain Camp by his son, Payton Holston, an eighth-grader at Rex Mill Middle.
“It’s good any time I can expose my son to something beyond the current environment and give him an opportunity to experience something outside of the classroom,” said the father.
“I love the panel forum where high school students get to interact with middle schoolers,” he added. “Every opportunity we get to expose our kids to various environments and different experiences, that’s a leg up they’ll have in life.”
Dorian Green, a sophomore at Martha Ellen Stilwell High, said the event was eye-opening. He attended with his father, Tommy Green.
The teen said he is inspired to drive now to fulfill the new-found responsibilities of the privilege.
“I’m learning how to be responsible on the road,” said Green. “I wasn’t excited about it at first. Now, I’m totally excited.”
Learn more about Southside Brain Camp and other services provided through Safe America Foundation at www.safeamerica.org.
This was a demonstration — a reenactment of a fatal car accident scene performed Saturday by members of Clayton County Fire as part of Southside Brain Camp at Delta Flight Museum.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Clayton County Public Schools and Safe America Foundation collaborated to put on the event targeting middle and high school students from around metro Atlanta.
The partnership brought together experts on subjects such as peer pressure, cyber-bullying and safe driving, increasingly concerning issues for parents like Angela Ramsey.
Ramsey watched as her daughter, Jordan Atkins, attempted to round orange cones set in a line on the patio at Delta Flight Museum. Atkins, an eighth-grader at Morrow Middle, turned with noticeable angst between tall cones as she attempted to type something on her iPhone.
For most of the morning, youngsters clumsily navigated the small obstacle course — an exhibit designed to demonstrate the level of distraction from texting while driving.
“I wanted them to be aware of the importance of learning how to drive,” said Ramsey, who declared a small victory in teaching her daughter early about the dangers of distracted driving.
Saturday’s event included a SafeTeen Driver Academy for high school students and a Safe Tomorrow Workshop for middle schoolers.
The workshop featured former Miss New York Amanda Mason. She shared insights on succeeding in high school, handling peer pressure and dealing with bullies.
The academy included topics for teens on safe driving, getting one’s first job, having a career mentor and setting long-term goals.
Jennie Glasgow with Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance was on hand, informing drivers and future motorists about the perils of trespassing on railroad tracks and not obeying the law at railroad crossings.
Scott Morrison, a compliance analyst with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, took questions from attendees across the way. He said most participants were eager to learn how to get a driver’s license, but he encouraged them to pursue driving school or driver courses before setting out on the road.
“A lot of them don’t know that you cannot talk on your cell phone at all if you’re under 18-years-old,” said Morrison, adding that texting is not allowed on the road even if you are stopped at a traffic light, according to state law.
Seventh-graders Jamil Boney of Elite Scholars Academy, and James Burnett and Preston Walton, both students at M.D. Roberts Middle, participated in a computer-simulated exhibit that measures breaking speed.
Beside them stood American Red Cross volunteers Victor Ojeda and Troy Sandifer who talked about the benefits of joining the organization and becoming certified in first aid and CPR.
“You’re never too young to know exactly what to do,” said Sandifer.
“It’s important to learn these skills because you want to be the one that steps up, not the one that steps back,” added Ojeda.
Marcus Holston was invited to Southside Brain Camp by his son, Payton Holston, an eighth-grader at Rex Mill Middle.
“It’s good any time I can expose my son to something beyond the current environment and give him an opportunity to experience something outside of the classroom,” said the father.
“I love the panel forum where high school students get to interact with middle schoolers,” he added. “Every opportunity we get to expose our kids to various environments and different experiences, that’s a leg up they’ll have in life.”
Dorian Green, a sophomore at Martha Ellen Stilwell High, said the event was eye-opening. He attended with his father, Tommy Green.
The teen said he is inspired to drive now to fulfill the new-found responsibilities of the privilege.
“I’m learning how to be responsible on the road,” said Green. “I wasn’t excited about it at first. Now, I’m totally excited.”
Learn more about Southside Brain Camp and other services provided through Safe America Foundation at www.safeamerica.org.
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