On Thursday, Valencia High Students witnessed a mock accident scene as part of the “Every Fifteen Minutes” program that has been effective in many senses in Santa Clarita schools over the last few years….

Upperclassmen watched real classmates get pulled from a mock accident scene as senior Michelle Frizieres was hauled off to the Sheriff’s Station.  Similar to the program that took place at Saugus High just months ago, students were randomly picked and taken from class “every fifteen minutes” throughout the day.  This reflects the statistic of how often Americans are killed in drunk driving-related accidents. 

Today there will be a mock funeral with the real students and real parents involved in the simulation.  Because of the prevalance of auto accidents involving teenagers in the Santa Clarita Valley, often the ceremonies hit home for many students, so counselors are available for emotional support.

Proponents of the “Every Fifteen Minutes” program argue that while educators may object to the lost class time from the simulations, if even one life is saved as a result of the awareness raised from the simulation, “it’s all worth it.”

More on this story can be found in The Signal.