National Honor Society presents Save Kids Day
By Sabrina Samedi Special to the Acorn

LIVING SAFELY ALWAYS IMPORTANT- - Westlake High School senior and National Honor Society member Ali Athar teaches local children the importance of road safety.

National Honor Society (NHS) teamed up with the American Red Cross clubs from Westlake and Oak Park high schools to present Safe Kids Day on Feb. 3.

The goal of the event hosted by Youth Services of the American Red Cross of Ventura County at Oak Park Community Center was to educate local third- to fifth-graders about fire safety, water safety, road safety, rescue breathing and basic first aid.

Safe Kids Day "is an excellent opportunity for WHS to give back to the community and prepare young children, should an emergency arise," said senior James Jee, WHS American Red Cross Club president and NHS member.

Jee, along with OPHS American Red Cross Club president, junior Mateen Safarian, and Alia Tsang with the American Red Cross of Ventura County were in charge of the event. Fifteen youth volunteers from both high schools taught lifesaving skills to 17 elementary school students.

To become the Safe Kids Day mentors, the high school volunteers first attended a training session to learn the material and to prepare 25minute presentations to the kids.

The volunteers divided themselves into five groups, each group teaching one of the five focus safety areas of the event. The elementary school students were also divided up and rotated to each of the safety demonstrations.

"Safe Kids Day gives the older high school students a chance to become better mentors and leaders for the younger generation," said senior Sid Primas, NHS president.

Sabrina Samedi, an intern at the Acorn, will be a senior this fall at Westlake High School.