ALTON, Texas — Mission CISD and community partners hosted Shattered Dreams on Tuesday, March 10, at Mission Collegiate High School, giving students a realistic and emotional look at the devastating consequences of impaired and distracted driving ahead of spring break.
The program featured a staged crash scene in front of the school, followed by live emergency response, legal consequence demonstrations, and awareness presentations designed to show students how one decision behind the wheel can change lives forever.
“Shattered Dreams is about coming together for collaboration and awareness on distracted driving and the impact it has,” said Gustavo Ramirez, City of Alton fire chief. “This was a group effort, and it took all of us working together to bring this message to students in a meaningful way.”
Students watched as first responders and community partners reenacted the aftermath of a serious crash, with police, fire, EMS, towing, and judicial officials demonstrating the real-life chain of events that can follow impaired or distracted driving.
“I always tell them, please make good choices because we want to see you back here after spring break,” said Ana Lisa Flores, principal of Mission Collegiate High School. “One bad decision does not just impact you. It impacts others too.”
Following the outdoor simulation, students moved into the gymnasium for awareness presentations that reinforced the message of prevention, responsibility, and the lasting effects of avoidable choices.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio Palacios spoke to students about the serious legal and personal consequences tied to impaired driving.
“These consequences are something you are never going to forget,” Palacios said. “This is the last thing you want to do because this kind of crime can be prevented.”
Students also heard from representatives with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, who shared victim-impact stories and reminded students that drunk driving does not just affect the driver, but families, friends, and entire communities.
For Mission CISD senior Jolly Garza, who participated as a student actor in the simulation, the experience left a deep emotional impact.
“This morning was heavy,” Garza said. “We have such high crash rates for drinking and driving in Hidalgo County. The whole experience was impactful, and I’m still shaken up.”
Mission CISD partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation, Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office, City of Alton Fire Department, City of Alton Police Department, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 J.J. Peña, Brown Family Funeral Home, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Med-Care EMS, Trauma Regional Advisory Council V, and 956 Towing and Recovery to bring the program to students.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person is killed every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the United States, underscoring the continued need for education, prevention, and responsible choices behind the wheel.
As students begin spring break, Mission CISD hopes the simulation serves as a lasting reminder to make safe, responsible decisions. The district wishes all students, staff, and families a safe spring break.
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