Juniors and seniors at Gustine High School were recently given an experience they’ll never forget. Through an emotional and immersive two-day event, the Every 15 Minutes program returned to campus, challenging students to reflect on the life-altering consequences of drinking, driving, and distracted behavior behind the wheel.

The program, held just ahead of prom, graduation, and end-of-year celebrations, was designed to move students beyond statistics and into a real-life simulation of tragedy. On the first day, students were brought outside to witness a staged DUI crash. Emergency responders arrived on scene to find classmates critically injured, covered in blood, and trapped in mangled vehicles — a visual that deeply impacted everyone in attendance. Throughout the day, students were pulled from class every 15 minutes to represent lives lost to impaired driving. They returned as the “living dead” — faces painted white, silent and somber reminders of lives cut short.

The following morning, the student body gathered for a mock funeral assembly. Those who participated in the program walked into the gym in silence — the paralyzed victim, the deceased, and the drunk driver escorted by a CHP officer. A video, recorded throughout the day prior, was shown, followed by remarks from law enforcement and Gustine High School’s Megan Azevedo, who led the effort to bring the program back this year.

“This program challenges juniors and seniors to think about the consequences of drinking and driving and making mature choices when getting behind the wheel,” Azevedo said. “Even if they’re not driving yet, it helps them recognize when to speak up — whether it’s calling for a ride, stopping a friend, or simply understanding the danger.”

Planning for the program began back in September. Azevedo coordinated with the California Highway Patrol, Gustine Police Department, Gustine Fire Department, Westside Ambulance, Hillview Funeral Chapel, and Doctors Medical Center to build a realistic and impactful experience. She selected 30 students to participate and organized an overnight retreat where students were guided through exercises in reflection and vulnerability — including reading goodbye letters from their families, and writing letters of their own.

For students like Diego Mora, who portrayed the drunk driver, the program left a lasting impression.

“Participating in Every 15 Minutes is definitely an eye-opener,” Mora said. “It changed my perspective on driving under the influence. I’ll never step behind the wheel if I’ve had anything to drink. It doesn’t hurt to phone a friend or family member for a ride. The scene with the cars and the bodies really stuck with me — it was terrifying. I would never want anyone to be in that kind of situation.”

Eric Mora, who portrayed the paralyzed victim, shared a similarly powerful takeaway.

“It changed my perspective by making sure I choose the right actions and think about those innocent people who are driving too,” Mora said. “The hardest part was seeing my family see me laying down in that hospital bed. I was crying because I don’t ever want them to go through that.”

The Every 15 Minutes program was funded through the California Office of Traffic Safety and supported by numerous members of the Gustine community. Lunch for the students was donated by campus supervisor Erik Limon, dinner was provided by Gustine alumnus and business owner Zachery Ramos with the Gustine Traveling Library, and T-shirts were donated by California Fence Builder and Gustine Police Department reserve officer Luciano Zelvaggio.

Azevedo also extended thanks to the GUSD Board, Superintendent Dr. Ballenger, Principal Adam Cano, Daisy Zagazeta, Lisa Esparza, and co-commissioner Ashley Ramirez for their guidance and support throughout the planning process.

“These types of programs are needed now more than ever,” Azevedo said. “With the rise of social media and phone use, distracted driving is just as dangerous. Students need to understand that their lives matter — and that one decision can change everything. This program gives them a chance to feel that reality before it becomes one.”

The Every 15 Minutes program may only last two days, but for the students who lived it — and those who watched — the message is clear: Make the right choice, because your life, and the lives of those around you, are worth it.