On April 28, Kent State University hosted The Portage County Safe Communities’ 18th annual None 4 Under 21 and Choices Beyond Program at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center.
Portage County Safe Communities is a program of the Portage County Health District. It focuses on seat belt usage, impaired driving, distracted driving and motorcycle safety.
Approximately 1,800 high school seniors from Portage County and neighboring school districts attended the program in Kent State’s MAC Center. The program’s goal is to educate students about choices and consequences to help prevent impaired driving and accidents.
“The goal is to reduce preventable teenage-at-fault traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities with our focus on safety during prom and graduation season,” said Ali Seval, project director of Portage County Safe Communities.
The students were first welcomed by Kent State Student Leader, Marisa Santillo.
During the program, the high school seniors listened to several speakers who shared their personal life experiences with choices and consequences as they related to impaired driving.
The program ended with students participating in a Walk of Remembrance with 11 area families honoring their loved ones who were killed in traffic crashes.
Kent State University and the university's Admissions Office joined the Ohio personal injury law firm of Elk & Elk as a presenting sponsor for the program.
“With many dangers facing our society today, injuries or deaths caused by impaired and distracted driving are senseless tragedies, and we can all do our part to prevent them,” said Arthur Elk, Elk & Elk managing member.
All photos by Tanner Poe, sophomore public relations major with Flash Communications.