Mullan High School takes part in virtual assembly

Students at Mullan High School got to take part in a different kind of assembly Thursday morning when they joined a live-feed virtual assembly put on by the Ford Drive Safe For Life (FDSFL) program.

Students across America tuned in to FDSFL’s YouTube page to be apart of the assembly and the students we even encouraged to join a live message board to send questions or to tweet questions to the presenters.

The topic of the assembly- avoiding drunk or distracted driving.

The MHS students watched as other students put on suits that impaired their movement and vision, simulating the physical attributes of being intoxicated and then heard stories of accidents that had happened due to kids being distracted while behind the wheel.

Mullan principal Don Kotschevar thought that the assembly was a cool idea, and he credited a member of his staff with getting the school involved.

“Laura Fritz, our family and consumer sciences teacher found out about this opportunity recently while attending the advisors conference for FCCLA,” Kotschevar said. “We had recently attended a similar multimedia presentation with the Wallace Jr/Sr high school, it too was a great interactive presentation. Having taught for many years I feel it’s best to engage students with multiple opportunities to learn.”

As mentioned before, students were encouraged to be a part of the event and Mullan junior Sheldon Trogden even got his questioned read and answered by the assembly hosts, which according to Kotschevar, definitely helped keep the kids’ attention.

“The students were attentive and engaged,” Kotschevar said. “They had an opportunity to interact and engage using their cell phones with the presenters. It was pretty amazing that one of our students from Mullan had his question selected and answered by the presenters.”

Kotschevar believes that these types of presentations are important for students to be involved in because they present them with a bit of reality at an age when they don’t understand the finality of life.

“Its very important to teach students about dangers that exist in life,” Kotschevar stated. “Many times students can get into trouble because they don't think actions through. By demonstrating possible scenarios we hope they listen and don't make poor decisions with life altering consequences.”

Overall the event seemed to be one that the students won’t forget and Kotschevar thinks that if it helps even just one students then it was time well spent.

“Only time will tell,” Kotschevar said. “But I do know if it changes one student, if not all students from driving distracted it was worth it.”