Weaver, AL – As high school prom season approaches, Weaver High School students were given a powerful reminder about the importance of safe and responsible decision-making. The school recently hosted its annual “Prom Promise” event, a collaborative effort by the Weaver High School-Bearcats, Weaver Fire Department, and Survival Flight 16. The event featured a realistic and emotional mock crash scenario staged with the help of first responders and student volunteers.
The demonstration, which included graphic but staged scenes with fake blood and emergency response simulations, aimed to drive home the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. The timing of the event aligns with statewide efforts by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which is conducting Prom Promise and mock crash events throughout April—recognized as National Distracted Driving Month.
Heather Guzman, a Weaver resident and owner of H. Guzman Photography, was present to capture the event through her lens. She reflected on the impact of the demonstration, noting how emotional and eye-opening the experience was—not just for students, but for adults as well.
“It was really hard not to get emotional. I’m glad I wore sunglasses so the kids couldn’t make fun of me when I had to wipe a few tears away,” Guzman shared. “When we’re kids, we think we are invincible… until one day it’s your classmate, your friend, a relative.”
Guzman praised the students, faculty, and first responders for their commitment to delivering such a meaningful message. Her candid thoughts also highlighted the role that parents can play by having honest conversations with their children about risk, responsibility, and safety.
ALEA’s broader campaign reinforces that message statewide. The agency is using April to stage similar events across Alabama, giving students a realistic look at the aftermath of impaired and distracted driving. ALEA Troopers are on site at many of these events to answer questions, provide guidance, and emphasize the importance of wearing seat belts, staying focused on the road, and never driving under the influence.
“Every year, far too many young lives are lost in preventable crashes,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “The purpose of these Prom Promise and mock crash events is to ensure that students make responsible choices this prom season and beyond. We want teens to understand that their actions behind the wheel can have life-altering consequences, not just for themselves but for their friends, families, and entire communities.”
Through vivid imagery and emotional storytelling, the Prom Promise event at Weaver High School served its purpose—to make students think twice before making a dangerous decision. The hope is that those lessons will resonate beyond prom night and into a lifetime of safer choices.
All event photos were captured by H. Guzman Photography.
