Speaker tells students: Be accountable

FALLS VILLAGE — Jeff Yalden made it clear to students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School that making the right choice is not always easy.

Yalden, an MTV personality, former Marine and successful motivational speaker and author, was making his second appearance at Housatonic, on Monday, Nov. 2.

As a young man, Yalden was the designated driver one evening. Three friends were in his car, it was early in the morning and they were drunk.

And one of them brought out some cocaine.

“It’s 3 a.m.� said Yalden. “And now I have a decision to make.

“Am I in trouble if we get pulled over and the cop finds drugs? Yes. So do I drive them home or do I tell them to get out of the car?�

He told them to get out of the car. “And I’ve never seen them since.�

A tough decision, to be sure, Yalden acknowledged. “But if your friends ask you to compromise your integrity, if they ask you to compromise yourself so they can have their fun — don’t go there.�

He spoke directly about the truncated homecoming dance Oct. 24. The dance was ended early when alcohol was found.

He said the behavior at that event is understandable: “You’re teens. You do dumb things.�

He said there were two sets of victims: the students who planned the dance, and the faculty and administration, who were embarrassed.

“The point is — you have to be accountable.� He urged the students to come together to make the next dance a success.

Yalden had the young crowd laughing at times, cheering at others, and listening intently to his blunt, sometimes earthy message.

“I’d rather you fail now. Are you going to learn from your mistakes, or continue being stupid?�

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