News & Events 2004-2005
Speaker Discusses Choice and Consequences
Journalism student Trevor Draper ’05 reports on a special speaker at Blair:
Kevin Price, a man with a story that touches many, was the featured speaker during an enrichment block on February 1. “His message was a compelling and important one on many levels,” said David Low, assistant headmaster, student affairs.
Kevin grew up in a close family, moving wherever his father’s job took them during his childhood, all the way through his high school days. After living in New Jersey during his younger years, he soon moved to Texas, followed by Japan and, finally, Sydney, Australia. As a result of attending many new schools, Kevin was always trying to fit in with the crowd. He thought he could do so by drinking.
“I didn’t want to be the American who didn’t drink,” said Kevin.
After going to high school in Sydney, Australia, he headed off to attend Bucknell University in the middle of Pennsylvania. Maintaining good grades, he was a regular college student, which was exactly what he wanted. While at college, he continued his drinking habit at parties and social events, but thought nothing of it. Drinking with his college buddies was an accepted routine. After four years, he received his diploma and continued on to Wall Street, where he found a job.
On certain weekends, Kevin met with his college buddies to catch up. Drinking would take place, yet it was never contemplated. However, on one July 4th weekend, Kevin Price’s life changed forever. After a night full of drinking, he said he was off to bed. In reality, he was not off to bed, for Kevin Price had an alcoholic blackout and got into his car.
That night, Kevin drove southbound on the northbound side of the Garden State Parkway, killing five people in a van in a head-on collision. Both vehicles were totaled, with Kevin and one other passenger in the other vehicle the only survivors. Kevin was rushed to the hospital. When he recovered, Kevin was sent to prison for his misdemeanor.
“I have to wake up every morning… look in the mirror… and not like what I see, because I made an ignorant choice,” said Kevin. “One choice, one decision, drastically changed my life.”
Kevin is currently married and has moved on with his life. He meets with a probation officer and is not allowed to leave the state of New Jersey without written permission for years to come. Kevin now shares his experience with high school students to advocate smart decisions. All he asks is, “When you make choices… think about the consequences.”
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