Readying students, parents for safe Senior Week
Program helps prepare for potential dangers of a
tradition at Ocean City
Heading to Ocean City for a week of sun and partying after graduation is a decades-old tradition for Howard County high- schoolers and soon-to-graduate seniors from all over the state.
Sometimes it can be a dangerous tradition, according to Joan Webb Scornaienchi, executive director of the local alcohol and drug prevention nonprofit HC DrugFree.
The group is hosting a presentation, “Staying Safe: Senior Week in Ocean City” on Tuesday.
The organization has been presenting on this topic for more than eight years, she said.
The presentation isn't about dissuading parents from letting their kids partake in the tradition, Scornaienchi said.
Rather, it's about preparing both sides so that they can have an enjoyable, positive experience.
“We want to keep the kids safe and keep this as stress-free for parents as we can, and support parents who think their child is not mature enough to be down there,” Scornaienchi said.
“There are plenty other parents who are saying no, my child is not going to senior week. But once they make the decision to allow their students to go, we want to offer appropriate support,” she said.
At this year's presentation — as in years past — Ocean City Beach Patrol Sgt. James McVey IV and Cpl. Howard Caplan will speak to high school seniors and their parents about the laws governing the beach town, and even the fines and other consequences for breaking them.
Playing loud music too late at night, for instance, can result in a $70 fine. Major drug and alcohol infractions can lead to jail time, and as Scornaienchi points out, could jeopardize a student's college admission or scholarship.
McVey has a gift for relating to students, Scornaienchi said.
When he's not patrolling the beach during the summer, he teaches at Lime Kiln Middle School in Fulton.
“I just think he must be a marvelous teacher because of the way he conveys his message,” she said.
The presentation will also cover water safety, which Scornaienchi said is useful even for parents and others who aren't attending Senior Week.
“If you came to that program just to hear the water safety tips, it would be well worth your time,” she said.
“Living in this area, we will end up at the beach, in the water.”
Scornaienchi encourages students and parents to attend the Senior Week presentation together.
“Because we have a lot of parents in this county who contact me years before their teens ever go off to Senior Week and they're already worried about what can happen to them,” she said.
“We also have other parents who haven't seriously thought about what could happen to their teens down there.
“We want them to hear consistent message, so everyone is clear about what can happen, and what you can do to take positive steps to stay safe.”
HC DrugFree's presentations on “Staying Safe: Senior Week in Ocean City” will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Atholton High School.
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