Event raises awareness about destructive decisions students may face
Patterson Mill Middle School held its 3rd Annual Ghost Day on Friday, May 4, 2018. More than 300 students participated in the school event, sponsored by Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.), to help bring awareness about the consequences of destructive decisions.
To participate in the event, students acted as ‘ghosts’ to represent a life that was lost from making a destructive decision. The students dressed in all white, were labeled with the decision that ended their life, and refrained from speaking the entire school day.
“It was a good thing for students to realize that if we do make destructive decisions, we could put our lives in danger,” said Grace Butler, 7th grader at Patterson Mill Middle.
Student participation in Ghost Day has grown each year; the first time the school hosted the event, about 100 students took part; the second year around 200 students took part.
“I was amazed to see so many kids participate in Ghost Day,” said Ryan Arist, Patterson Mill Middle/High School health education teacher and S.A.D.D. advisor. “Participation has increased each year we have held this event, and I really feel it raises awareness about the destructive decisions teens are making these days. It’s always great to see a school come together and do an event of any kind; it truly makes a difference.”
Support and sponsorship for the event came from Patterson Mill High School’s administrative team, as well as the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy.
Patterson Mill Middle School’s S.A.D.D. club, under the direction of Mr. Arist, meets several times throughout the school year to discuss and engage in projects related to important topics teens face today. The mission of the club is to help students make positive decisions that advance their health and safety.
