Upstate Schools!

This week was filled with programs in one of my favorite places: the upstate of South Carolina! Tuesday was a marathon day with four programs: Palmetto High, Wren High, Wren High's SADD club and then a parent program for Anderson District One. Thanks to Dr. Mason Gary at Palmetto High for allowing me to speak to the Palmetto High student body! This was one awesome program! Thanks to Robbie Benneker at Wren High School for the opportunity to speak to all 1700 Wren High students! Tons of FaceBook friends from both Wren and Palmetto-and thank you to all the parents who came out in the evening to discuss how we can have better relationships with our kids and help them make healthy and safe choices. Special thanks to Leigh Colombo for helping arrange these programs – you rock! v

Anderson University

Wednesday and Thursday found me at Anderson University in Anderson, SC-and what a fantastic time this was! Anderson's Wednesday morning chapel service and then an evening program for Anderson's NCAA student athletes! A very special thank you to all those who came out for the Wed. evening program who weren't under any obligation, but who just wanted to hear more! Again, a special thank you to Leigh Colombo for helping get these programs arranged, funded and for just making them so much fun!

Thursday, I was a guest presenter for the Anderson area Drive Smart Coalition; a group of individuals and institutions concerned with eliminating needless fatalities in the Anderson area. Once again, special thanks to Leigh Colombo for helping make this happen and everyone in the area should give a big thank you hug to Leigh for helping touch the lives of over 20,000 students in the Anderson area!

“Liquor-Cycles"

This past week while I was in South Carolina, I learned about a trend in the SC drunk driving field: liquor-cycles.

In South Carolina, if an individual gets a certain number of DUIs, he/ she will lose their license to operate a motor vehicle. However, if the vehicle is under a certain horsepower, it's not considered a motor vehicle. Scooters, Vespas, etc. are allowed for DUI offenders who are no longer allowed to drive a real car or truck.

On one hand, I like this notion. And truthfully, I'm kinda surprised so many people actually choose to drive their Vespas and stay within the law.

However, no matter if someone has a driver's license or not, he/she can still jump in a car, turn the ignition and drive down the road. If a convicted drunk driver is staying within the law and not operating a car, that reduces the risks for the general public from habitual DUI offenders.

However, isn't there a better way to keep habitual drunks from driving? Yes, yes there is. And that is by the use of modern technology. With as many Americans as get DUIs and get their licenses taken away, it puts a dent in the American work force. Wouldn't it be a better way for us to use technology that allows a driver to operate a vehicle when they're sober, but not when they're drunk?

Not just the ignition-lock breathalyzers, but the use of intoxicant detecting sensors on the steering wheel. And lasers on a rearview that can see if the driver has been drinking. True, this may take a bite out of the liquor-cycle market, but so what?

Let's embrace modern technology to keep our streets safe and our lives guarded, instead of just trying to circumvent the problem by putting drunks on different vehicles.

Mexico High and Middle Schools... Mexico, MO

Wednesday, Sept. 9 found yours truly back in his old stompin' grounds: Mexico, Missouri. It's been nearly a decade since I've been to Mexico, and a lot longer than that since I was getting my butt kicked by some Mexico Bulldogs defensive lineman, but this time going back to Mexico High was a lot less painful!

Thanks to all the high and middle schoolers for being such an awesome audience, for insightful questions and for accepting me into your school!

Special thanks to Melanie Richter and Susan Gheens for being such great hostesses! Also, thanks to the high and middle school teachers who stopped by after school at the faculty program – I'm so thankful there are teachers like you in the world!

And, even though I've already said it, my gratitude to Susan Gheens is just so vast... for being my very own English teacher when I was 15, and then the head of the school play when I was a senior. Some of my most treasured memories include you, Susan, and I'm so glad we've reconnected! Thanks for some awesome chimichaungas, too (I know I probably spelled that wrong... blame it on my poor English skills!)

Central Florida Health Educators

Okay, so this was just such a fun program! Sept. 11, I was honored to present for the Central Florida Health Educators in Daytona, FL. This is a group of professors, nurse educators, etc. etc. etc. who instruct any and all students into the world of health care. Plus, it was the first time I've ever presented with a mannequin laying behind me on stage!

Special thanks to Leilani Bautista-Keene and Linda Misko for being such fantastic hostesses! We filmed this program for my upcoming health care promo video and Leilani and Linda did an awesome job of finding just the right educators to interview for their feedback on my program! Thank you!

"DeSales University...Fourpeat!"

For the fourth year running, I was honored to speak at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA for the Character U. program. There is no finer group of people to work with than Wendy Krisak, Dr. Gregg Amore and Chad Serfass... people who, over the last few years, also become good friends.

Thanks to the class of 2013 for being such a fantastic audience and for allowing me to be one of the initial parts of your college experience! Best of luck for the fall term!

Out on the road

I'll be out of E mail and all net communications until Friday, Sept. 11. If you need to reach me, call the number on MarcusEngel.com Thanks!