By Bella Kim, Marketing Intern for the Youth Center
On April 5, The Youth Center, the Seal Beach Lion’s Club, and Griffin News received certificates from the U.S. Congress for their work on Every 15 Minutes. These three groups were major contributors to the program, which came to Los Alamitos High School on March 2 and 3.
Every 15 Minutes is a national program that illustrates the horrific effects of driving under the influence through a simulated school tragedy. This includes a staged car crash on campus and a mock funeral for the students who “died” in the accident.
Courtesy photo
To represent the statistic from the 1990s that someone in the U.S. dies every 15 minutes is an alcohol-related traffic incident, previously selected students are pulled out of class every 15 minutes. They do not return to school until the “funeral” on the second day of the program.
The Youth Center and the Seal Beach Lion’s Club partner together to bring this program to Los Al. As the Lead Agency, The Youth Center has conducted Every 15 Minutes at Los Al every other year since 1999, except COVID-19 years. They also collaborate with local first responders, businesses, and other organizations.
“It is an overwhelming feeling when you get recognized for something you love to do. Thank you to everyone who supports us and believes in the work we do for youth,” said Lina Lumme, The Youth Center CEO. Every 15 Minutes is possible at Los Al with donations from the community and grants from the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Highway Safety. Because of this generosity, The Youth Center has never paid over $15,000. Griffin News, Los Al’s advanced film class, produced a short film of Every 15 Minutes, recording and editing the majority of the video during the two-day program. The film was played on the second day during the mock funeral.
Creating the video was a huge undertaking; Griffin News stayed at school working late into the night. Cole Miller, a Griffin News student, said Every 15 Minutes tested their ability to work together to finish a massive project so quickly.
“I’m truly proud of what we were able to accomplish together, and it’s something I’ll never forget,” Miller said. “While it was definitely the longest night of the year, we were still able to have fun and make the most of the challenging process.”
Miller, senior, was the final assembly editor for the Every 15 Minutes film. He edited the crash scene and the interviews with victims’ parents and put together the final product.
“It was a huge honor to receive our award from the U.S. Congress,” said Griffin News teacher Conner Brown. “The students worked incredibly hard on this project, and it was amazing to see their efforts recognized by the local community and now even the government. I am so unbelievably proud of them.”
Michelle Park Steel, U.S. representative for California’s 45th congressional district, signed each certificate and sent someone from her office to Los Al on her behalf to present the honorees with their awards. In Mr. Brown’s classroom, he and all his students received certificates. Lumme accepted one for The Youth Center, and Los Alamitos Unified School District board member Chris Forehan held the certificate for the Seal Beach Lion’s Club.
“I am grateful for programs like The Youth Center that serve our community well. By educating children, young people, and their families in our community about the dangers of drinking and driving, The Youth Center is saving lives. Keep up the good work!” Rep. Steel said.
To reward Griffin News for their participation in Every 15 Minutes, The Youth Center donated $2,500 to their program.
“I’m really grateful that everyone in my class was recognized on such a large scale, since a lot of hard and taxing hours went into making this video. It feels nice to know that our work is being appreciated beyond just the people in our school,” Miller said.
Every 15 Minutes is a powerful program that impacts Los Al students and the larger Los Alamitos/Seal Beach community. Congress recognized The Youth Center, the Seal Beach Lion’s Club, and Griffin News for their parts in spreading an important message about the consequences of impaired driving.
Note: Bella Kim is a marketing intern at the Youth Center.