After a star high-school football player from St. Xavier fell from a Florida hotel balcony Friday, Apr. 2, concerns about the dangers of spring break arose.

The event triggered memories of previous tragedies, such as Alabama senior, Natalee Holloway, who disappeared in 2005 after getting in a car with some locals during her graduation trip.

“It’s pretty common to hear stories about people getting hurt on spring break,” said Katherine Brown, 10.

However, with consistent warm weather and sunshine, thoughts of flip-flops, shorts and independence seem to be all that is on the mind of most high-school students. As thoughts of cold dissipate, so does the patience of students who desire to be lying in the grass, free of schoolwork and authority.

For many students, spring break is a week of partying and fun, away from the watchful eyes of parents. Usually, this amount of independence causes students to do things that they would most likely not do at home or around authority; such as drink alcohol or use drugs.

“I’m more likely to try something if I know my parents are not going to find out. First, because I know I won’t get in trouble and second, because I know their opinion of me won’t change if they don’t know what I’m doing,” said Ariana Speridakos, 10.

With extended independence and privileges, it is not uncommon for students to feel a false sense of invincibility. Unfortunately, it is this attitude that leads to the death and injury of hundreds of high school and college students each year. – Posted: Thu, Apr 15 2010 3:52:40 PM EST by Emma Oh