California Department Of Alcohol And Drug Programs

SUBJECT:
The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, "Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things." Describe one of your passions and reflect on how it has contributed to your personal growth.

I never understood what makes a boy a man. For me, Scotty was just a boy, but the evening news has never hesitated to disseminate information on "the man" died tragically. Barely an adult, 18 years, Scotty was killed in a collision caused by a drunk driver. Not only the lives Scotty is very close to mine, but it was a life that ended in an event that could have been avoided.

Scotty and my friends were innocently driving when a drunk woman has a turn at night. Running a solid red-light almost twice the speed limit, it took the life of Scotty and more impaired. I spent hours in hospital waiting rooms next to the others involved in the accident, his eyes bloodshot and dark, for fear that their nightmare would come back to life when they slept . We hope the wounded heal. We were aware that Scotty would never recover from his fate, he was ripped from this earth as an apple tree, never to be collected for harvest for another year. There was nothing I could do to ease the pain of someone, but I promised myself that if I could not do anything at this point, I would like to become a leader dedicated to prevention of an incident like that it never happens again. Protect others against the anxiety caused by the accident immediately became my passion.

Not only did I make it my duty to educate everyone around me on the serious risks of drinking and driving, but I also created Friday Night Live Club at my school. Even if I was a junior at the time of the tragic accident, I thought it was not too late to inform my colleagues of the secondary benefits of a life without substance. I have faced various reactions. Some students shared my enthusiasm, but the truth was, had no interest in changing their way of life and promote well-being of others. Leading and solidified to FNL club was more difficult than I originally thought.

I told my stories with great detail, in collaboration with teachers to set up appointments to speak to their classes. I conduct seminars that students from Scotty's father's passion, how he could shed tears for his beloved son for hours, even after most of us told ourselves dry. I told them how I was wondering what Scotty thought a few moments before his death. I asked the students to think about their last thoughts. Would they be satisfied, or they know it was not their time? As a result of my seminars, I learned the value of diligence and the importance of sharing a passion. With the emotional expression of my practical experience, I helped people think and relate to an experience seemingly abstract. Watching my peers get lost in my emotions, I knew that the statement of dedicated club members has increased.

As president Friday Night Live, I learned how to appeal to a wide range of people. I am sure all members have an important role in preventing a tragedy like Scotty's. Ranging from movie nights to dance roller skating rink, FNL sometimes seen hundreds of participants in our substance free events. When a night of partying was inevitable, I set up a taxi service for FNL peers who could not return home. I also coordinated activities alongside the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and the California Office of Traffic Safety to integrate the ideals of the FNL to the state level. My role in FNL taught me powerful person can become in a positive impact as a leader.

Coming to terms with the death of a friend has been extremely difficult. It is difficult to admit that something had decent tragic and heartbreaking Scotty's, but I can not ho.