ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / September 6, 2000

LAPLACE – Thanks to the Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter at West St. John High School, students all around the state of Louisiana will bereminded every day about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The school’s SADD members all got together and designed a protective book cover that warns others about not drinking and driving.

The teens were rewarded for their efforts when Louisiana Gov. Mike Fosterselected their bookcover design to be used in public schools all over the state for the 2000-2001 academic year.

“We wanted to discourage students from drinking and driving, said Malana Joseph, a senior at West St. John High and the president of SADD.Judging from their design, the message should get across in no uncertain terms.

Big, bold letters proclaim “U Drink, U Drive, U Walk.” In the center of thebookcover is a person being carried on a stretcher away from a horrendous wreck. On the back of the cover is a student on crutches and in a neckbrace.

“We think it will make people stand up and take notice,” said Yoshi Johnson, also a senior and the vice-president of SADD.

Well, the state of Louisiana certainly took notice.

Johnson said everyone in the club had a hand in designing the bookcover.

Glenda Gaudet, principal of West St. John High, said, “We are all so excitedand really proud of our students for being chosen.”

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