As spring celebrations like prom and graduation approach, Goddard Public Schools took a powerful, proactive approach to ensure students understand the real-world consequences of impaired driving. Last week, both Goddard High School and Eisenhower High School hosted mock DUI crisis simulations: immersive, first-responder-led experiences designed to put students face-to-face with the seriousness of driving under the influence.
The events, held in the parking lots of each high school, brought together an impressive coalition of community partners, including:
The D.U.I. Victims Center of Kansas,
Garden Plain Police Department,
Kansas Highway Patrol,
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department,
Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services (EMS),
Wichita Fire Department,
Wichita State University Police,
USD 265 School Police, and
USD 265 Transportation.
Emergency vehicles, lights, and sirens were part of the planned simulation - a deliberate choice to make the experience as realistic and impactful as possible. For students watching the scenes unfold, it wasn't just a demonstration. It was a moment of reckoning.
“I think that being part of a mock DUI crash scene makes you realize that stuff like this can actually happen to anyone,” shared Brandon Johnson, a GHS Senior who played one of the victims at the GHS mock crash site. “It also really highlighted how a situation like this is handled by first responders. I think everyone should see something like this at least once, because drivers need to keep the reality of a situation like this in the back of their minds, always.”
Natalie Gerlach, a Senior at EHS, shared what it means to her. “I have police in my family, my dad’s a cop, but I’ve never seen a scene like this before; you can tell they’re serious about it. It makes me want to be more careful on the road.” She continued, “It shows how much they all care. It’s not comfortable or fun, but it’s not supposed to be.”
USD 265 Police coordinated with a number of surrounding agencies that helped provide all of the various experiences for students and really made these events possible. For the agencies and volunteers who made it happen, the goal was clear: reach students with a message that sticks long after high school.
USD 265 Police Officer Wyatt Pulver shared, “This is one of the easiest things to prevent. It’s entirely, 100% fully preventable - it’s about a choice.” Pulver continued, “Doing this job, you can’t help but get to know the students in each school and care for them and their well-being. It’s hard enough to separate yourself from the tougher moments on the job when you don’t know the victim. I never, ever want to work a fatal scene involving a student.” Pulver, the main coordinator of the EHS event, finished by sharing, “That’s the whole point of all this - that this is a scourge that is wholly preventable. And it’s our goal here to drive that point home with students.”
“Offenders have temporary consequences, but for the families of victims it’s a lifelong loss,” shared Cheyanne Shaw, Strategic Director of the DUI Victims Center of Kansas. “Driving is a responsibility, not a right, and everyone has choices to make that impact that.” The sister of a fatal DUI car crash victim spoke as well, sharing, “My brother will never get married, will never know my son. Your actions affect more than just you.”
The collaboration between USD 265 and its community partners reflects a shared belief that student safety extends beyond the classroom walls and years after walking across the stage at graduation. These events are not just about prevention; they're about giving young people the tools and the sensibility to make safer choices when it matters most.
Garden Plain Police Department Chief, Bryan Crownover, explained how much his 36+ years of service and experiences have taught him. “This simulation is about as realistic as it gets, I hope it hits home for these students.” He continued, referring to times where he’s had to provide death notifications to families of victims, “They’ll remember your face and name for the rest of their lives; you have to lead with empathy.”
“Demonstrational experiences like this also help people better understand what police and first responders see. It shows that we do more than just arrest bad guys,” commented Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Malakye Adams. “We’re not robots, there’s a human being behind this badge.”
Goddard Public Schools is grateful to every agency, first responder, and community partner who gave their time to bring this experience to our students. As prom and graduation season arrives, the #265Family stands together in supporting the safety and well-being of every person in our community. And that starts with creating impactful educational opportunities - just as our educators do in the classroom each day.