As a longtime teacher and coach, this time of the year brings with it the hopes and the dreams of a young generation of high school graduates who are about to embark on their new lives.

Problem is, much of the celebration which follows leads to destruction and death.

My intention today is not to put a damper on the spirit of the season but to provide enough examples of death and mayhem on our roads to perhaps cause the celebrators to give pause and rethink their actions before entering the abyss of uncertainty that alcohol and speed on the highways can cause.

Personally, I do not like this time of the year.

When I taught school and coached, this was the time of the year when all my charges were tempted with the notion that none of the aforementioned woes could plague them.

The “it could never happen to me” philosophy permeated their thinking. It was almost as if these upperclassmen were invincible.

I have never been in a situation that was so sad and poignant as the death of a healthy student who took it upon himself or herself and crossed the line of common sense and subsequently made the poorest decision of his or her life.

Yes, I’ve stood over graves and wept for those who died in a fiery car crash because they had overrated their own capacity to overcome the odds of failure in a drinking and driving scenario.

Yes, there is a lot being done these days by high schools and parents to help raise awareness among students, parents and faculty to the many dangers of the season.

Alcohol-free and drug-free parties, if you will, are all good and noble things. Problem is, most of what transpires once these so-called “safe” parties are done is this: Some of these same students go out to another party and drink there.

What’s a parent or teacher to do?

Make the parties overnight affairs. Yes, you read that correctly. Making certain that participants continue the thing through the night increases the size of the safety net, and it requires more scrutiny by the so-called chaperones.

Another thing which can aid participant safety is to make the whole thing more enjoyable.

Take the kids on a hike to a well-known camp or campsite, for example. Remember this: There will always be a certain element that enters the thing and wishes to demolish the quality of the proceedings.

If the goal is to minimize the dangers of alcohol, drugs and driving, then long-term preparation will be the key to success.

30 Second Time Out

I would be remiss as a longtime educator and coach if I didn’t pause today to honor the memory of Harry “Pinky” True, one of Maine’s top school people during his illustrious career. With Pinky’s passing last week, an end of an era was marked, and, sadly, those like Mr. True can never be replaced.

I first met the likable former coach when he was headmaster at MCI in Pittsfield. The time I spent with him was time well spent. He was truly a legend, and he will be missed.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net