By Jose Z., Teen Reporter, Calif.

Think making smart decisions on prom night is just a warning your folks give you to scare you? Think again!

In a couple of weeks, I will be participating in the "Every 15 Minutes" program at my school, which will take place during prom season. This program is conducted to show students the dangers of drinking/texting while driving. It makes you think about the consequences that come with the decisions you make and how it affects everyone around you!

My school selects students to be pulled out of class every 15 minutes to show us how many people die from alcohol related accidents in the United States every day. A Grim Reaper figure comes in to take the selected student while a police officer reads an obituary to the class that the student's parents have written beforehand. Later that day, there will be a simulated crash scene where students will see their fellow peers in a car accident on their way to prom. They will be able to see and feel the emotions that occur in tragic situations like this first hand.

Drinking and Driving -- Don't Do It! 

That night, the selected students who are a part of the program will go to a retreat where they will write letters to their parents that they will share the next day at a school-wide assembly. Parents will also share some of the letters written to their kids at the assembly for the whole school to hear.

The whole program points out the implications of these alcohol-related accidents. To see one of your classmates in position like that on a special night would totally change your outlook on the decisions you could be making and who they would be affecting.

It's just better to make smart decisions on prom night. Just think how much fun your last dance as a high school student will be. Make it a safe, memorable night!