Recently I was approached by the PTSA to write this speech about my views on teen drinking. My personal feelings are conveyed in it.

I feel that as high schoolers it is simply not a good idea to drink alcohol because the trauma that comes with it is so avoidable. As we learned from Phil Lutzenkirchen’s dad last week, a lot of loss can come from a stupid decision. I believe that it is truly not worth it to put yourself and others in danger for the purpose of having a “good time”.

Many students don’t understand the repercussions of drinking underaged. They think they are invincible to the threats that surround them. As a teenager it is easy to hear the stories about alcohol-related accidents and think, “that will never happen to me”. But the truth is, that’s what everyone thinks and it has to happen to somebody.

We have to evaluate the decisions we make because we live with the consequences. Ask yourself, is it really worth it? Is this drink, this reckless night of partying, worth my future and the future of those I surround myself?