April 7, 2014
Donna McCain, mother of former student Meagan McCain, urged students to make positive choices.
Mesalands Community College recently celebrated ‘Student Safety and Appreciation Week’ to encourage students to be safe and make positive choices during Spring Break and in their lives. During this week, the College honored former rodeo team member, Meagan McCain, who lost her life in a DWI related accident in 2009. Meagan’s story was shared in order to remind students about the impact their decisions can have on others.
“Student Safety and Appreciation Week was about providing safety information to our student body, including education on drugs, alcohol and sexual assault,” said Dr. Aaron Kennedy, Vice President of Student Affairs.
Mesalands held numerous events throughout the week. On Monday, Donna McCain gave an emotional speech on DWI awareness and talked about Meagan’s life.
On Tuesday, the College held a “Mocktail” contest, which was a contest to see who could make the tastiest alcohol-free cocktails. Later that day, a concert by active Army Veterans was held at the College’s outdoor common’s area. The Epic Proportions Concert Tour featured Gabe Kubanda and Corrin Campbell.
Paul Bell, from the Tucumcari Police Department gave a presentation regarding DWI Awareness.
On Wednesday, the College had a free movie night for students at the Odeon Theater.
On Thursday, students and staff members participated in a fatal vision obstacle course at the North American Wind Research and Training Center. The following guest speakers also talked about DWI , alcohol and drug awareness: Paul Bell, from the Tucumcari Police Department; Noreen Hendrickson, Chair of the Community DWI Task Force; Leigh Ana Eugena, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program Coordinator; and representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers.
On Friday, the College served root beer floats and announced the week-long contest winner of Penny Wars. Penny Wars was an activity held to raise money for the Meagan McCain Memorial Scholarship fund. Edmiles Harvey won the Penny Wars contest and was named the Mesalands Stampede Favorite Cowboy. Over $500 was collected from the Penny Wars activity and was donated to the scholarship fund.
Students and staff members participate in a fatal vision obstacle course.
Also throughout the week, a wrecked car depicting a DUI accident was on display and students signed a pledge agreeing to make positive choices during Spring Break.
“It’s so important that Mesalands had this event to bring awareness about the dangers of alcohol,” Donna McCain said. “I just think people make better decisions, when they have the knowledge about the consequences of their actions.”
