Honestly, I went into seeing “Every 15 Minutes” with a rather negative attitude. In the past, I have always found motivational speakers or assemblies that “preach” tend to be cheesy, ineffective or a waste of money. For “Every 15 Minutes,” however, this was not the case.

This assembly featured Foothill students in a very realistic situation- the scenario was realistic, the scene was realistic, and the effects were realistic. Rather than having a third party motivational speaker stand upon a stage and “tell” us, this program “showed” us- a much better way to get a message across. The two guest speakers, who were both permanently injured as a result of DUI accidents, were very inspiring and helped students to realize that this is a very real thing.

The most heartbreaking part of the program was the parents reading letters to the “dead” students- even though the student was alive and well, and sitting right there, this part caused many audience members to break into tears. Many students imagined themselves and their own family in this situation, making them rather upset.           

“Every 15 Minutes” had rather steep price- approximately $10,000 – but it was completely worth it for the effect. This assembly instilled a message into the minds of Foothill students which could potentially save lives- something which is priceless.

There are few things I would change about “Every 15 Minutes”. I did find the use of the “Grim Reaper” rather cheesy, and I felt that it gave the event a more “joking” effect- I think it would have been much better had the police officers alone just read the obituary and set the rose on the “dead” students’ desks. The Grim Reaper, a fictional character, detracted from the realistic effect that the program was trying to achieve.

 I feel that having the “dead” students standing behind the accident with white make up on was a little odd or out of place as well- I feel it would have been more effective had they donned bloody makeup or something of the sort (to show what COULD happen), or had not stood there at all.

I also believe that, in this day and age, there should have been more of an acknowledgement to texting and driving- this is a bad, dangerous habit that I know some of my friends have.

I feel that “Every 15 Minutes” was completely worth the cost and class time it took and that every high school should be allowed such an opportunity because it could make a difference in saving someone’s life.