By Riley Riepma

Trojan Tribune Staff

The West Central SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) group hosted a Reality Party at Darin and Kandice Lewin’s home on April 13. The Reality Party was a mock presentation put on by high school students to show parents what kinds of things go on at teen parties. A total of 44 parents attended the Reality Party, along with several community leaders and professionals.

Attendees were split into smaller groups and toured through the house, witnessing a different scene in every room. “The ‘realism’ was great. Unfortunately, this (the dangers) is all too true and a great message for parents,” stated an attendant. After the presentation, the parents were led into the garage, where more facts and information were stated, followed by a group discussion. Before leaving, each parent took a pledge to better communicate with their children about partying.

Not only was it important for these parents to become more knowledgable of what happens at teen parties, but also that they become aware of the law. As a parent, you cannot legally give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21 under any circumstances! In fact, you can’t even allow anyone under 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol. If you give alcohol to a person under 21, and they hurt someone or damage property, you can be sued!

With graduation and summer vacation just around the corner, there will definitely be a lot of partying going on. However, as a parent, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure your kids have fun while still being safe. One of the best things you can do is communicate with your teen about providing alcohol-free activities and events. Always refuse to supply alcohol to your teen’s friends, and don’t allow anyone to bring alcohol into your home. Most importantly, make sure you are home at the time of the party!  However, remember not to be too intrusive, and respect your teen’s need for privacy and independence.

By Riley Riepma

Trojan Tribune Staff

The West Central SADD group is in the process of organizing a staged Reality Party for parents to walk through and see what can happen at an actual high school party. There are currently 17 adults signed up to walk through the Reality Party on April 13, but there are plenty more spots to fill. SADD group leader and high school counselor, Michelle Pliska stated, “The main goal is to increase awareness about the dangers associated with underage drinking and drug use. This will not be a “lecture”.  It is local teens voicing their concerns in a very real and engaging way.”

Another goal of the Reality Party is to help parents become more involved with their kids, but not in a prying way. This demonstration is supposed to get parents’ attention by addressing the harsh and often strange realities of what goes on at high school parties. Countless numbers of students also admit that at parties they are more likely to try drugs, and are less inhibited to abstain from sexual activity, or even rape.

Last spring, several SADD members attended a training session in Miller, South Dakota, to learn how to organize a Reality Party. Over the past few months, the SADD group discussed what the party scene is like at West Central as far as the involvement of drugs, alcohol and sexual activity. They have also been working with a professional trainer, John Beranek, for further preparation. He chose the Reality Party script and assisted in assigning lines and parts to participating students. “I believe one of the hardest pieces of preparing for this that I didn’t predict was the personal toll it has taken as we discuss how alcohol and drugs have affected the lives of students. Lives have been lost, classes have been failed, families hurt,” Pliska stated.

Over half of the West Central student body does not drink or party with drugs. However, most students will at one time or another be offered or find themselves in the presence of drugs or alcohol during their high school career. It is SADD’s mission to discourage high school students from falling into the pressures of drugs and alcohol.  Party responsibly!

by Donovan Minor and Riley Riepma

Trojan Tribune Staff

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In the last few months, two new additions have been welcomed into the West Central family. Kathryn Zita Bialas was born on November 27 to Becky Bialas, the choir teacher. Hudson Daniel Eye was born on December 29 to Danny Eye, the band teacher.

Kathryn was named after both of her grandmas, Kathryn and Zita. She weighed six pounds and eight ounces, and was measured at 20 1/2 inches long. Bialas has said that she isn’t a fussy baby, “She’s a good baby and slept for nine hours last night.” Bialas believes Kathryn will be a low alto because she has a low pitched cry.Contrary to that, she squeaks a lot like a high soprano. Unlike most babies, she hardly wakes up at night. She is about seven weeks old and is now starting to smile. When asked what she wants for her daughter, Bialas said she wants “Everything. I hope she likes to sing and becomes a doctor. I hope she’s really happy and that we can be good parents.”

Hudson was born six pounds and seven ounces, and measured at about 20 inches long. Other than his size, he is the opposite of Kathryn Bialas. When asked if he is fussy or quiet, all Eye could say is, “It’s been rough.”  Sleep is very rare for Hudson. He wakes abo

ut once every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. He didn’t come out marching as everyone had joked. His lower lip is curled, so he has, as Eye says, the embouchure, or mouth formation, of a saxophone player, but he also thinks with all the percussive instruments around his house that his son will be a drummer. Hudson’s name was originally going to be Harrison, but his parents feared people would call him “Harry Eye.”  It is a tradition in the Eye family for the firstborn son to take his father’s name as his middle name. He definitely was born with a sense of humor because at his baby picture photo shoot he urinated on the photographer and pooped all over the set. Eye added, “I hope he’s happy, healthy, and successful, whatever that may be.”