Photo courtesy of Plainville Community Schools

Plainville High School students attending the United Way forum focusing on reckless teenage driving are, back row, from left, Andrew Perbeck, Sarah Tanner and Taylor Perun; front row, Elizabeth Sisson, left and Kara Kolavage.

Over this past school year, the United Way Youth Board, a group of students from six central Connecticut high schools including Plainville, has been collaborating with the United Way on how it can have a positive impact on other students. The youth board decided with all of the tragic recent deaths of teens related to driving, that a forum focusing on reckless driving was a perfect fit. The youth board then figured out how to be the most effective and reach the most students in one night.

Organizers invited relatives of the victims of last summer's Bristol car accident, the parents of Alyssa Roy and relatives of the Gosslin family, to volunteer as speakers. There was also a police officer, paramedic and a Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner, each who had an important part in spreading the message of teenage safe driving.

The forum took place in March at Bristol Eastern High School with more than 100 students and parents attending. The event makes Plainville High School a better place, school officials said, because there were a large number of students who attended.

Dave Soltis, Plainville High School senior, said, "I am glad that I decided to attend this, even though I did not personally know the kids that have died, the message was still very effective. The parents' words were from the heart and you could tell they truly care about the message they are extending to us."

The message that teens need to be less reckless on the roads and just drive slower is important, school officials said.

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