From a mock car crash to a visit to the funeral home, students in the Humboldt area had their eyes opened to the reality of poor decisions.

Safe Communities Humboldt and Area held their annual P.A.R.T.Y. Program, which stands for Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth.

"We're so fortunate with this program to have a good core group of professionals and volunteers that we work with from year to year," said Executive Director of Safe Communities Humboldt and Area, Shari Hinz. "This is the 13th year we have been doing this as well, so it tends to be a well-oiled machine. The students we have had both days were really good, so it has been awesome."

The day starts at 9:30am for the students and right off the bat they have their eyes opened to a potential outcome of drinking and driving or a similar distracted driving decision.

"Our emergency services come in full lights and sirens, so it is really a jolting start to the day," explained Hinz. "They handle that scene the way they would handle a real life scene. It gives our students and attendees as close to real life with that scenario as we can show it."

The scene shown to students this year involved a drunk driver, who collided head-on with another vehicle, resulting in one fatality and severe injuries to the driver of the second vehicle.

Students look on during a mock car crash held by Safe Communities Humboldt and Area.

Following the crash scene, students go through sessions involving different professionals who speak on their jobs. Those include ambulance and police, as well as therapy and addictions.

In the afternoon, students are bused to a funeral home and hear from a local coroner.

The day wraps up with students hearing from survivors of vehicle collisions and how it has had an impact on their lives.

"When you listen to our survivor speakers, Kelly Weber and Brenda Shrader, their personal stories are shining examples of what happens when people make bad choices and how it can impact innocent people," noted Hinz.

She added that the day is designed for students to realize that there are real life consequences for poor decisions they make.

"I just really want students and even the adults attending that you have to make good and safe choices because it doesn't impact just you."

The program is split into two days, with students from Humboldt Collegiate Institute and Englefeld attending on May 3. On May 10, students from Annaheim, Lake Lenore, Lanigan, LeRoy, Muenster, Middle Lake and Watson took in the program.