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IN FACE OF TRAGEDIES, STUDENTS SPEAK OUT

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - When River Ridge High School lost four students to traffic accidents in 2006, members of Future Business Leaders of America decided to do something to prevent future tragedies.

The organization created an assembly presentation, held four times Wednesday, to remind students of the dangers of drunken driving.

"At first we were just going to do ninth grade," said Emily Kanar, 17, the district president for FBLA. "Then we decided everyone needed to hear it."

Kanar and Stephanie Coleman, 18, the River Ridge FBLA chapter president, came up with the idea. FBLA members Denise Russo, 16, and Hailey Mackin, 16, both juniors, agreed to host the assembly, which featured statistical information and a video they taped of River Ridge students discussing how much, or how little, they know on the subject.

One of the four River Ridge students killed in 2006 was Justin Shofner, 18, who died in a car crash Oct. 17.

His stepmother, Kristen Ainsworth, and stepsister, Natasha Govoruhk, spoke to the students, using their family's tragedy to try to prevent others from enduring the same kind of pain.
Ainsworth wanted the students to know how easily their lives can change. Shofner hadn't been drinking or taking drugs, she said. He was buckled up.

"All we know is he lost control of his car, and he is gone," Ainsworth said.

Ronnie Blair

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