Rutland
posted
Dec 19, 2012
Photos submitted
group photo of participants at the dedication
ceremony
This year Vermont has had a significant increase in fatalities in
drunken driving crashes. December is "Drunk or Drugged Driving
Prevention" Month and one of the activities that happens during
this month is the Southern Vermont Red Ribbon Tree, which is placed
in the Diamond Run Mall in Rutland. The tree is a way of
remembering the victims, those who have been killed or injured, in
crashes involving drivers who were under the influence or alcohol
or drugs.
The Red Ribbon Tree brings together all the stakeholders in the
fight against this serious problem- police, fire, youth, victims,
emergency medical services, hospitals, community anti-drug
coalitions, court and court alternative programs, and legislators
and other political leaders. The tree is dedicated at a ceremony
and people attending the ceremony have an opportunity to remember
friends or loved ones (or themselves) who were victimized by
placing a red ribbon with the person's name on it on the tree. Each
organization can demonstrate their dedication to the cause by
placing an ornament with the organization's name on it on the
tree.
The event was hosted by the Stafford Technical Center SADD Chapter,
along with Rutland County START (Stop Teen Alcohol Risk Team), a
community-law enforcement collaboration dedicated to eradicating
underage drinking. The Stafford Health Careers Academy also
assisted in the dedication ceremony. There were over 120 people at
the ceremony, which was made more poignant by the recent loss of
Rutland High School senior Carly Ferro, who was allegedly killed by
a driver who was under the influence of Dust-Off.
Photos submitted
Master of Ceremonies Brandi Heath, a Stafford SADD
member from Brandon, addresses the group.
SADD members from Fair Haven Union High School and Proctor High
School Chapters and their advisors represented their schools, as
did contingents from Otter Valley Union High School and their
school resource officer, Anne Bandy. Rutland High School's Key
Club, Club Giving, Senior Class and Green Mountain Teen Institute
all sent groups. The areas law enforcement communities were well
represented.
Jay Morel, the Diamond Run Mall manager, welcomed the group, as
did Selectman Hall from the Rutland Town Select board. Tom
Terenzini, the newly elected VT House representative from Rutland
Town spoke eloquently of his experiences working as a Correctional
Officer, and the effects of the use of alcohol and other drugs on
the lives of inmates. Other speakers included VT. Attorney General
William Sorrell, Rutland City Police Chief Jim Baker, Tom Fields
from the Governor's Highway Safety Program, Rutland County State's
Attorney Marc Brierre and Bill Goggins, Director of Licensing and
Enforcement for the Vermont Department of Liquor Control.
Rutland High students Cheyenne Olson and Ian Sargeant shared how
deeply the loss of their friend and class mate, Carly Ferro, has
affected them.
This event was planned and executed by members of the Stafford
Technical Center SADD Chapter; student Logan Clark, a senior from
Rutland High School, was the overall Project Director. He was
assisted by Gabrielle Guastamachio, a senior from Proctor High
School, who supervised her fellow Health Careers students, and
Otter Valley Union High School's Brandi Heath, who super.
The tree will remain on display at the Diamond Run Mall during
the holiday season so that others can remember those who have been
lost to these crashes. While each year more red ribbons are placed
on the tree, the good news is that every year more silver
ornaments, representing groups who will be working to stop these
tragedies, are also placed on the tree.
