Tyler, TX — Spring break can be a highlight in the life of a college student; but it can also be a time of tragic events, many of which are highly preventable.
Tyler Junior College’s spring break is scheduled for March 11-15.
TJC’s Center for Student Life and Involvement, Residential Life and Counseling Services departments are getting a head start on promoting student safety with “Destination: Spring Break,” a three-day event emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior and the potential outcomes of bad decisions.
“Destination: Spring Break” will be held Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 25-27, on the TJC main campus, and all events are free and open to the public.
“Our purpose with these events is to influence students to behave responsibly while on spring break,” said TJC Counselor and Learning Specialist Tracey Williams. “We want them to have fun during their week off, and we want them to come back to us safe and sound.”
Monday, Feb. 25: Distracted-Driver Simulator, Rogers Student Center
Along with general information on drug and alcohol abuse, P.E.E.R.S., a national drug and alcohol prevention program, will introduce students to a simulator. It is an actual vehicle that has a simulator attached that will take the students into a virtual world where they can physically see, feel and experience the dangers of drinking or texting and driving. Participants are not only shown the outward dangers of these factors, but also the after effect of drinking and or texting and driving incidences.
This simulator will allow students to drive sober and then “intoxicated.” Data is entered into the simulator based on gender, body type and drinks per hour. Upon completion of the intoxicated drive, students will be able to view their results on how well or poorly they drove under the influence.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, at Rogers Student Center, students can test their skills in the driving-while-intoxicated simulator.
Impact videos and counselor debriefings will be held 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon in Room 142 of Rogers Student Center.
From 1 to 4 p.m., students can try out the driving-while-texting simulator, with videos and counselor debriefings held 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Tuesday Feb. 26: Arriving Safely to Your Destination, Rogers Student Center
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rogers Student Center, representatives from TJC Campus Police, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Texas Department of Transportation and Tyler Police Department will highlight some of the perils of distracted driving and stress the community response, including penalties, to drinking and driving.
Wednesday, Feb. 27: “The Real World of Addiction” by guest speaker Brent Scarpo, Jean Browne Theatre
Guest speaker Brent Scarpo will discuss “The Real World of Addiction,” during a presentation 7 p.m. Wednesday in Jean Browne Theatre, located in Wise Cultural Arts.
Scarpo has developed and presented seminars on diverse subject matters with positive messages through his many film and television projects, books, special presentations, exhibits, and motivational speaking events.
His newest programs are entitled, “Why Do You Hate Me?” a presentation on how students sabotage their personal success; “The Road to Hollywood – Careers in the Entertainment Industry” a program that looks at the various career choices for college students considering a job in the entertainment industry, “Last Call” a unique look at the issue of alcohol, drugs and sexual assault at colleges and universities and finally “Mama D” – a program/video designed to teach servant leadership and community service.
Prior to his speaking career, Scarpo founded the non-profit organization, New Light Media, and worked in the entertainment industry in Hollywood. He served as a casting director for six years, casting motion pictures, television projects, commercials, infomercials and many more. He has worked on such films as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “That Thing You Do,” “Air Force One” and “Matilda.”