Brandon Silveria was your average teenager at age seventeen. He and friends were active teens who thought they were invincible. One night Silveria and friends made the choice to drink, and he had to drive them all home. He found this was a life-changing choice.

That night, Silveria’s life took a turn for the worst. Somehow, he managed to drop off his friends at their homes. Still considering himself invincible, he told his friend he was okay to make the drive home. This drunken ride ended early when he fell asleep at the wheel and smashed into a tree.

A neighbor heard the crash and they called 911. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where it was found that he had serious brain damage. Silveria spent months in rehabilitation, having to relearn everything including how to walk and talk.

On April 16, 2007, at South Rowan High School, Brandon Silveria came with his father to talk to students about the damaging effects of choosing to drink and drive. Juniors from West Rowan and South Rowan High School, as well as students from West Rowan Middle School attended this special presentation. Representatives, police force, and a minister were all there to wish students a happy prom season. They were all there to get across the idea that students should make the right choice and choose not to drink and drive.

Tiffany Woodie, of East Rowan, who had been in a car crash involving a drunk driver, introduced Silveria. As he made his way up to the podium, students weren’t really sure what to expect. Suddenly they heard a mumbling coming across the sound system. Realizing quickly that it was Silveria, students began to listen intently. As they struggled to hear him they were hit emotionally!

Students to look forward to the prom as it nears, while keeping in mind the dangers of drinking and driving. West Rowan’s prom will be held at the Salisbury Depot on Saturday, May 12, 2007.