By: Samantha Adornati

An assembly was held on Thursday, May 20th, in the Spotswood High School cafetorium covering the effects of drinking and driving during Prom weekend. Guest speaker Steven Benvenisti, an attorney, presented the severity of drunk driving, as he now dedicates his life to preventing its fatal price. He told the story of a man who excelled in both sports and academics, and received a scholarship at the College of New Jersey. This was a man whose life was drastically changed after being struck by a drunk driver.

This assembly had a big impact on many of the students who attended Prom Weekend.  Amanda Gagnon, a senior, said, “Seeing the devastating effects that the usage of alcohol by one person can have on another caused me to be very cautious of the people around me. Mr. Benvenisti was like me, for he wasn’t going to drink that evening, but he nearly lost his life. That just goes to show that you always have to be aware of the actions of others.”

Justin Aquino, also a senior, said that “it taught me that even though you are not drinking, you can still be affected by other people who are drunk. His speech didn’t change people’s minds completely, but it gave them a reason to second think of each decision they make when alcohol is involved.”