Those students participating "Ghost Out Day" at LCHS were: (front row, l-r) Miranda Bands, Jeweline Randall, Kentrell Norman, Donquita Williams, Andrew Mc Quigg, Christina Baker, DeAna Parks, (back row) Chelsea Duncan, Kashade Andrews, Raleigh Mazell, Brittany Parham, Siyes McCord, Hannah Cross, and Roger Elam. Activities were held at LCHS on April 23 to encourage students to stay away from drugs and alcohol on the big night.

Sponsored by the LCHS HOSA, the activities included a "Ghost Out" on Thursday morning.

During the day, the "Grim Reaper" took students out of class to transform them into ghosts. When the students returned to class, their faces were covered with white paint, and they were not allowed to speak to anyone except other ghosts.

The purpose of the activity was to remind students that every 30 minutes, a person dies in an alcohol-related accident in the United States.

After participating in Ghost Out Day, many students made the comment that the Grim Reaper would always remain in the back of their minds.

A mock accident was staged on the football field to send a clear message to students on the dangers of driving under the influence. Then, later in the day, a mock drunk driving accident was staged on the football field to impress upon the student body that not only does driving under the influence hurt people, driving carelessly can claim lives as well.

The following individuals took part in the simulation: Wanda Duncan, Interim Director; Jill McKinney, Event Coordinator; Rhonda Radford, Battalion Chief/Paramedic; Jonathan Doss, EMT/FF; April Crook, Paramedic; David Montgomery, Chrissy Edwards, Brandon Grant, Reid Radford, and TJ Carani, all volunteers; Kevin Beggs, Deputy Coroner; Darrel Bentley, Lincoln County Sheriff Office; Casey Brown, Air Med; Ashton Cartledge, Andrew McQuigg, Zack Gray, Barbara Hill, Lena Turner, Hillary Doss, Mirnada Banks, Jenna Harmon, Kimberly Reed, Jeweline Randall, Morgan Goldman, Shekezya Phelps, and Siyes McCord, all HOSA members.

This year's scenario involved two cars with one flipped.

Ashton Cartledge, HOSA president, read the script for the scenario, which included the following words: "An elegant evening of prom dresses, tuxes and partying with friends turned into body bags and bloody bandages. The parent's dreams of the four lost classmates walking across the field at graduation were shattered in an instant."

During lunch on Thursday, student council members set up various obstacle courses for students to navigate while wearing a pair of "beer goggles." The special goggles helped students experience first-hand how dangerous it is to drive and even walk while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

In her remarks, Tangie McKinney, HOSA advisor, extended her gratitude to HOSA members, the Lincoln County Department of Safety, Air Med, and others from the community who made the mock drunk-driving scenario possible. Special thanks to Jill McKinney for her leadership, hard work, and enthusiasm that pulled the entire event together.

In conclusion, McKinney said, "I hope the week's activities will continue to serve as a reminder to students of the importance of remaining drug and alcohol free. If it keeps just one student from getting behind the wheel impaired, then it served its purpose."