4/10/10 — A few weeks ago Block Island was host to some very special guests, John and Meg DeCubellis of the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation. In October of 1999, a drunk driver killed their 13-year-old daughter Katie, one of three passengers in a car traveling to the mall on Route 4 in East Greenwich. The operator of the vehicle, Marsha Bowman, also had her life taken that night; her daughter Becky was the only survivor. Katie’s parents have been keeping Katie’s legacy alive by traveling to schools and colleges, spreading awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and the poor decisions that lead to these tragedies. They have sponsored an awareness video, which is shown in most driver’s educational classes as well as by Block Island School health teacher, Vicky Carson.

The Block Island Prevention Task Force and the Block Island School sponsored the DeCubellis visit to the island. It was a riveting presentation and really forced us to think about all the small decisions that could lead to one fatal one.

Block Island has had its share of misfortune involving drunk driving. Police officer Paul Deane made a speech that resonated with the students concerning the island’s skate park they use every day: did they realize that this park was dedicated to the memory of Ian Kortbek, who was taken so young just like Katie? Deane suggested the students just sit for a minute and think the next time they were there; think about the decisions you make and who they will affect.

John and Meg DeCubellis have spoken to more than 9,000 students and parents and hope that if by sharing their story they can save just one life, then Katie’s and Marsha’s deaths will not have been in vain. We are planning a return trip for John and Meg in May, to present to the parents and community, as well as any students, grades 6-12, who would like to hear them speak again. It is a very powerful message and very pertinent to our lives here on Block Island. Please join us in May to hear Katie’s story. If you would like to make a donation to The Katie Decubellis Memorial Foundation, please visit www.kdmf.org.

Morgan is the student assistance counselor for the Block Island Prevention Task Force.