WBNX teamed up with Portage County public safety forces to present the annual None 4 Under 21 rally last week at Kent State.  Thousands of area high school seniors listened to compelling speakers share their tragic experiences involving drunk driving.  A female prison inmate told how one careless choice resulted in her six-year sentence for aggravated vehicular homicide.  Rootstown grad Todd Mix followed with his story of a drunken collision with a train, leaving him wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life.  And former college athlete Aaron Cooksey expressed how alcohol abuse caused the accident which killed his best friend.  The program is designed to reinforce the dangers of alcohol just prior to the students celebrating prom and graduation.  Four mock scenes—a fatal car crash, DUI testing, a funeral and gravesite—gave the teenagers visuals to ponder; and as they left the event, students passed through the “Walk of Remembrance,” where families stood beside large photos of their loved ones who were killed as a result of someone driving impaired.  Each school was invited to design a unique anti-drinking banner, with Elk & Elk awarding $2,000 to the class which produced the winning entry, and $1,000 to the runner-up.  Click here to view this year’s contest winners, Euclid HS and Garfield HS, as well as the other ten banners and scenes from the event.  And click here for information about the WBNX “Save a buddy…keys, pleez” campaign to keep drunk drivers off the road.

October is a huge month for high school Homecoming dances, and the perfect time to remind young people about the dangers of drinking and driving. You may have seen some of the WBNX stars—like Ronnie Duncan, The Daily Buzz crew, and Degrassi actors—talking about our “Save a Buddy…Keys, Pleez” program on the air. We’re encouraging you to be a watchful friend, and ask for the car keys of anyone with thoughts of driving impaired. Both students and parents, click here to read over the tragic statistics—and party alternatives; and remember that auto accidents are the #1 cause of death among teens. Why risk your future with one awful mistake? Stay sober, be safe, and have a blast at Homecoming!