The Metter High School drama class and Family Connections are gearing up to present Candler County’s second annual Teen Reality event. This event is scheduled to be performed for Metter Middle School on Thursday, March 28, 2013 and for Metter High School on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Candler County Board of Education. It was created with the intention of providing awareness about some of the harsh realities that today’s teenagers face. Metter High School senior, Allison Clemons said, “Teen Reality is more helpful to students than pamphlets and other informational brochures because it really shows us how our choices could affect our lives and the lives of others.” What makes this production so unique and powerful is that it is produced and performed by MHS drama students and community members from the surrounding areas.

Teen Reality is sponsored in part by Candler County Family Connections. Lisa Rigdon of Family Connections said that “Teen Reality is an awesome program that helps children to realize the effects of risky behavior.” This year’s program focuses on the top 10 issues impacting teens which include drinking and driving.  According to a 2009 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about one-third of those are alcohol related.” Furthermore, a recent survey by the Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health indicated that underage alcohol-related vehicle crashes are a significant concern for Candler County.

Shannon Riggs Stuckey, Metter High School’s Drama teacher, has announced that the MHS drama students will be creating a memory wall in honor of friends or family members whose lives have been impacted as a result of irresponsible driving. This memorial wall is intended to recognize the emotional impact, physical injury or loss of life as a result of any alcohol, drug, or cell-phone related car accidents.

If you are interested in creating a form, go to Metter High School’s website, or one of the following locations: Metter High School, The Bridge or Metter-Candler County Chamber of Commerce. Once the memorial is created, please return to one of those locations care of the Teen Reality Committee.