PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School presented the Fifth Annual anti-drunk driving assembly program to the seniors, in the school’s auditorium and outside parking lot on Friday, May 22, warning the students about drinking and driving especially during Prom season. Six seniors were actors involved in a two car accident where seniors were drinking and driving. The six actors were seniors Andrew Massefski, Danielle Jannarone, Amanda Angulo, David Alosio, Kayala Rodriguez and John Bucciarelli.
Assistant Principal for Building Operations Thomas Rizk, Mike Nicosia, Math teacher and Det. Lenahan started working on this year’s program in December. They sat down with the students that were involved every two to three weeks to guide them through the process and to offer our input and suggestions. From beginning to end this project took six months to complete.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Unit, Lake Hiawatha Fire Department Fire District 4, Parsippany Fire District #5, and Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squard, and Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad responded and participated in the dramization at Parsippany High School for the Project Prom Drunk Driving Awareness Program.
The following staff from Parsippany High School participated in the event: Jeff Coviello, Video on the Go; Jim Groome and Matt Lazzari Autos/Woods teachers; Steve Gilgur Science teacher/Sound and Lighting Advisor; Evan Intveld, Art teacher; Makeup by students: Nikki Ilic, Michelle Stanel and Nicolette Villopotto. Evan Shoshan shot all the footage and edited the video, and Tyler Smith from Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
Senior Andrew Massefski said “Taking part in the event really showed how these types of tragedies can happen to anyone; no one is excluded and you need to take the necessary precautions to make sure it doesn’t happen. You need to be smart about the decisions you make because it doesn’t only effect you it effects everyone around you as well.”
“I just really hope that everyone realizes more now of how much of an impact one bad decision can make. I hope that people take something away from this presentation and gets the powerful message that it is never okay to drink and drive under any circumstance, stated senior Danielle Jannarone.
“The program at Parsippany High School this morning on drinking and driving delivered a very powerful and poignant message to our students. It is so important to reinforce this message at this time of year. Thank you to the students, parents, and Administrators who put the program together. Special thanks to Det. Lenahan and the Parsippany police department and to our wonderful volunteers from the ambulance squad, fire departments and rescue and recovery squad,” said Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education President Fran Orthwein.
The characters David Alosio, Danielle and Amanda died at the scene; Kayala Rodriguez suffered brain damage from internal bleeding and Andrew Massefski was paralyzed and will never walk again. The driver, John Bucciarelli, was charged with DWI and First Degree Manslaughter and will remain in jail until 2065.
Don’t drink and drive. If you been drinking, always call someone. Don’t let your friends drink and drive.
The event was also video-taped by Video On The Go, click here to view video.
