Community News

NO EMPTY CHAIR: Prom Safety Event

Gowanda High School

Rebekah Moraites, Gowanda High School Principal along with Gowanda High School hosted a NO EMPTY CHAIR: Prom Safety Event during the school day on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Prom is an exciting event, and GHS wants to ensure that their students prioritize health and safety during prom season.

This event specifically was held to prevent and to educate adolescents on the consequences of texting while driving and the consequences of drinking while driving.
Cattaraugus County Deputy Shields, Gowanda P.D Officers Fitzpatrick & Kehr, Seneca Fire, Seneca EMS, Gowanda F.D. and Gowanda Special Ops recreated an accident scene and performed an extrication demonstrating the various tools used during rescue and recovery. The purpose of this event is to minimize underage drinking and potential DWIs after prom and also demonstrate the consequences of a bad decision.

Gowanda Thespian Society students portrayed scene actors, moulage makeup by Seneca EMS Joni Jackson, GHS Counseling Department was on hand to provide emotional support as needed, and Just Tow It coordinated, delivered, and retrieved two cars for use during the event.