On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, staging for the annual Shattered Dreams event will take place at Victoria East High School (VEHS) at 5 p.m. This message is to reassure the public that this event is part of a planned educational program, and there is no cause for alarm. Local law enforcement agencies are fully involved, and there is no need to report any concerns to them.
On Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3, 2024, VEHS students will immerse themselves in Shattered Dreams, an impactful experience alternating between Victoria East and Victoria West High Schools each year.
Shattered Dreams is a nationally recognized educational initiative aimed at high school juniors and seniors, highlighting the profound dangers associated with drinking and driving/impaired driving. This sobering event serves as a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of reckless decisions.
Principal Justin Gabrysch emphasizes the realism of the experience, stating, "Students don’t think this could happen to them, so this event is a sobering lesson that teaches students, shows students, and for students participating, they experience the dangers of drunk driving."
Throughout the day, the Grim Reaper will enter classrooms at 15-minute intervals, symbolizing the frequency of alcohol-related fatalities. Each time, a student or teacher will be selected as the "living dead," and their obituary, written by their parents, will be read aloud by a police officer.
A staged crash, complete with a full emergency response involving the Victoria Police Department (VPD) and Victoria Fire Department (VFD), will take place on the designated date. Juniors and seniors will witness the coordinated efforts of emergency personnel as they respond to the scene. "Victims" will be transported by ambulance and PHI Air Medical to local hospitals, while the "deceased" will be conveyed to Rosewood Funeral Home.
The impactful week culminates in a "memorial service" on Friday, featuring speakers from the Victoria Police Department and Victoria County Sheriff's Office, providing further reflection on the consequences of impaired driving.