HHS PTSA Spreads “It Can Wait” Message
The Huntington High School PTSA is gearing up for one of its biggest weeks of the year. The organization plans to launch an educational campaign about the dangers of distracted driving. Students are the intended audience, but the message is an important one for the whole community to hear.
“We are challenging students not to text and drive by adopting the ‘It Can Wait’ philosophy,” said Alice Marie Rorke, the Huntington PTSA president. “In partnership with the Texting Awareness Foundation, we have a dynamic speaker giving a presentation on March 25 at 7 p.m. for students, parents and community members at the high school.”
The week of March 24 will feature videos, a student/parent pledge to “not text and drive,” giveaways for students, including texting rings, t-shirts and decals, information sessions and much more. A wrecked car from a texting-while-driving accident will also be brought onto the high school campus with a large banner nearby stating “Is it Worth a Life . . . Don’t Text and Drive.”
The March 25 presentation at Huntington High School will feature Karen Torres, who on March 17, 2006 was on the receiving end of a phone call that changed her life forever.
Ms. Torres’ father, Patrick Mapleson was struck and killed by a distracted driver while working along a highway. The tragedy began her journey as a safety advocate, speaker, and educator for families and organizations across Long Island. Listening to her story will change the way a person views driving and their practices the next time they sit behind the wheel.
“Texting and driving has surpassed drinking and driving as the leading cause of death and accidents among teens,” Ms. Torres said. “This is not just a teen problem, adults are just as guilty. As parents, our children are in our driving school for the first 16 years of their lives. Using the excuse of ‘do what I say, not as I do’ is not helping this deadly epidemic. It’s up to this generation to help change the next.”
For some time, the Huntington PTSA has wanted to get this message out to students and impact the community, too. “There are too many distracted drivers on the road and taking the pledge to be responsible and not text while driving can possibly save a life,” Mrs. Rorke said. “This is a very important message for everyone in the Huntington community.”
Laura Mills, the PTSA’s vice president is chairing the anti-texting and driving campaign. “The PTSA recognized that this was an important program for our students,” Mrs. Mills said. “It started as a simple presentation and has grown into a wonderful community event. We have sponsorships from many local businesses that are eager to be a part the ‘It Can Wait’ message. Their generosity has enabled us to create a week of awareness on the dangers of distracted driving.”
“Most of us are attached to our phones or some type of technology that keeps us all connected,” Mrs. Rorke said. “This is the new reality. We can’t take the matter lightly. Lives are being lost. It is unacceptable. We must be diligent and responsible. It only takes a split second of taking your eyes off the road that can change someone’s life forever. Is that text worth a life? I think it can wait.”