SADD’s aim is keeping teens safe and sober

    SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is an organization dedicated to educating and reaching out to students about destructive decisions such as drinking, drug use and risky and impaired driving.
    Our SADD club is made up of about 50 students, who  hold activities during lunch, host contests and advocate to other students about the dangers of destructive decisions.
    Through this club, I have learned more about how the destructive decisions of one person can affect many people. When I first joined, I assumed that the mission was related only to drinking and drug use, but SADD is also about looking out for the well-being of others and developing good decision-making skills.
    Club members are very active in their community. Just this summer, two members, Sarah Matherne and Morgan Thibodeaux, attended the SADD National Conference in Orlando, Fla.
     “That has been, by far, the best experience I have had with this club,” said Sarah, current club president. “I met so many people with the same interests and different ideas to get more people involved. I am glad to say that I am ‘Happy to be SADD!’”
    Not only have members attended the national conference, but the club also is  participating in the Celebrate My Drive contest to raise money for the school. We will host the state police for a simulated demonstration on the effect of texting while driving and the importance of seat belts. The club holds SADD week in April to discuss in-depth with all students the dangers of alcohol and smoking to our bodies. We also will disuss cancer awareness, bullying and the importance of making good decisions.
    Through its promotion of sensible and careful decisions, SADD is helping a new generation of young adults gain insights on the very important difference between right and wrong decisions.
    This goal fits in perfectly with the system of values that we learn in our Catholic schools.  Here at Academy of Our Lady we are constantly challenged to examine our lives in light of our faith and to make sound decisions based on sound values. SADD is the perfect complement to our school community’s commitment to living our lives in a way that sets an example for others to follow.
    Audrey Thompson is a junior at the Academy of Our Lady in Marrero.