Beckman High School SADD Club Rally’s Peers
In support of Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, Beckman High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) held a rally themed “DNT DRV INTXTICATED”. Overseen by their Advisor Melissa Carlile and the BHS Administration, the event was organized and directed by BHS SADD Co-Presidents Michelle Gao and Milonee Desai on Friday May 17th 2013 during their 2nd Period (8:46 am to 9:47 am) in Beckman’s gymnasium, on the day before the Junior-Senior Prom.
With a full house of student peers and faculty members watching, more than 30 students including the Beckman High Cheerleaders, put on a presentation to raise awareness for the importance of safe driving habits, particularly focusing on driving while texting and the effects even the smallest amount of alcohol has on a driver.
The event began with pumping up the crowd by the Beckman High Cheerleaders who didn’t miss a beat in an outstanding performance with “Act Out Loud Signs”, sending a message that actions speak louder than words. Michelle Gao and Milonee Desai, Co-Presidents of Beckman SADD Club then started off event explaining statistics and Video Presentation about SADD & SADD National with a Quiz and Raffle. Officer M. Bergstrom of Irvine Police Department provided a presentation and explanation of what the rules really are for drivers on provisional licenses, how it affects those riding in the vehicle as well as the driver.
Rochelle Shirkhanbaigi, (left photo) Coordinator for DCH Tustin Acura which sponsors the SADD Club at Beckman, praised the students for their continuing effort to spread the word throughout the campus and in the community their commitment to making good decisions in their lives.
Guest Speaker Raquel Cail Gonzalez of Donate Life, (right photo) shared her touching personal tragedy with the audience. Revealing a single mother’s loss of her only child, Brittany Cail. Age 19, a teen full of life, love, and caring, who was killed during a rain storm, driving the speed limit but too fast for road conditions. Her story stressed that accidents could happen to anyone at any time, and her daughter may still be here today had she been more cautious.
The Relay then began with 3 students lined up and ready to challenge each other demonstrating the effects of alcohol on reflexes by the use of “Drunk Goggles”. The three students were required to get through circling a baseball bat, running through cones, using a hula hoop, stepping over small hurdles, jumping rope, and then shooting a basketball until making a basket.
Kristen Mize, who was wearing no goggles zoomed through the course with little effort, as Kaitlin Fong, wearing the “Below the limit” goggles had several stumbles. In the meanwhile, Justin Aminian, BHS Athlete, wearing the strongest “Above the Limit Goggles” had a very difficult time getting through the course loosing balance, tripping, and finally running out of time as he missed shot after shot at the basket. Afterwards Justin stated “I never realized how much it changes your perception. I’d hate to ride with someone in that condition.”
The event ended with a video presentation called “The Last Text” which that reveals the extensive impact texting while driving can have on the lives of peers, communities, families and one’s self. The overall event was very impactful, and well received by over 750 students and faculty members.











The accolades have already started to come in for Acura and the 2013 RDX. Acura won the 2013 “Residual Value Award” for “Best Premium Brand for Long Term Value” from ALG, which recognized all Acura models for “exceptional vehicle quality, strong brand desirability and long-term reliability.” In addition, ALG ranked the 2013 Acura RDX highest in the “Premium Compact Utility Vehicle” category. On the topic of awards that really matter, the 2013 RDX has earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).


