Tri-County Sentry
Friday
JUNE 6, 2014
Page 3A
Youth pursue Careers Keep Our ChildrenAlive! in Medical Field
Sober Graduation:
Assemblymember Das Williams While teenagers make up just 6.9 percent of the total number of drivers in the United States, they account for 14 percent of all fatal vehiclerelated injuries, according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS). That is why it is so important to engage with teenagers graduating from high school this June about the need for a Sober Graduation. This year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are once again joining forces with local law enforcement and members of the community in support of a statewide effort to save the lives of young people through a "sober graduation" program.
The program provides a blueprint for organizations and individuals to come together to safeguard children. Participants raise public awareness of alcohol-related deaths and injuries and organize alcohol- and drugfree graduation celebrations. Since the sober graduation campaign was established in 1985, the number
of young drivers involved in alcohol-related collisions during the month of June has declined dramatically. For more information on how to participate or create a Sober Graduation Month event, please contact the Ventura County office at: 89 S. California Street, Ste F, in Ventura; or call (805) 641-3700.
Pictured (l. to r.) Student Belinda Garcia, Cynthia Lopez, Medical Assitant Trainer at Center for Employment Training and student Melissa Cantu (Photo courtesy of Future Leaders of America, Inc.) ences like me, inspired me reach my full potential.” From page 1A As part of the class exliked about the career sem- and motivated me to reach inar was, “Being able to for my goals; just like me, perience, participants were meet real doctors and nurs- they dreamed of becoming informed of the required education and skills needes and hearing their stories a doctor some day.” Oxnard High School ed for specific professions. on how they achieved their dreams of being in the 11th grade student Anisa In addition, they were also medical field. I especially Ayala shared that she had exposed to different career enjoyed the mini-first aid been empowered by the choices and were informed class on how to be a first seminar. “I can be a posi- of the daily tasks and durespondent in case of an tive influence in my com- ties of specific jobs. The seminars featured emergency and how to pos- munity. I can help an indisibly save someone’s life vidual or family members a wide array of careers inwith basic CPR.” Hueneme by healing or comforting cluding business, criminal High School student Ivan them, or by helping them justice, STEM (science, Camacho said, “Knowing manage their health. This technology, engineering, that these doctors are real seminar opened my eyes to and mathematics), amongst YOUTH, See page 12A people with similar experi- help me see how I too can