Speakers shared the dangers of irresponsible substance use with the junior and senior classes during a morning assembly on May 3.

Encompass, an alcohol awareness coalition in the Northborough Southborough area, organized the assembly which featured advice from Principal Sean Bevan and Encompass Drug-Free Communities Coordinator Emily Flavin. However, the bulk of the assembly focused on a heart-wrenching recount of the death of presenter Kathi Sullivan’s daughter Taylor Lee Meyer due to underage alcohol consumption.

Opening the assembly, Flavin emphasized the importance of practicing refusal strategies, so students may be prepared to say no when substances are offered.

“You are the only one who can make this choice for yourself,” Flavin said. “It’s important to remember that.”

Beyond just emphasizing the importance of saying no to substances, the assembly served as a realistic guide to how students can move on from traumatic experiences. Sullivan shared her position as a motivational speaker and showed that even after hardship she was able to continue with her life.

“I am the happiest human being you will ever meet in your life,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan keeps Meyer in mind as her inspiration to continue teaching. 

“My kid has been going out there and making a difference in other kids’ lives,” Sullivan said. “That means the world to me.”

Meyer passed away after a long night of drinking after homecoming her senior year. Sullivan shared the last photos her daughter took, the last conversations she had with her child, the tumultuous search for her missing kid, and how Meyer’s friends had allowed her to walk alone in the dark drunk. 

“Never leave your friend behind,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also encouraged audience members to contemplate who would be deeply affected if they were to disappear, prompting students to imagine their parents or guardians standing in Sullivan’s place.

“You have no clue how much you’ll be missed,” Sullivan said.

Students were deeply affected by Meyer’s story of teen drinking.

“It was a sad story, and it made a lot more impact than I was expecting,” senior Natalie McNeil said.

Beyond advice on abstaining from substance use, the message to reach out for help and try to be as safe as possible rang out to students. Sullivan quoted Maya Angelou to reflect on her daughter’s decisions and to encourage students.

“Do the best you can until you know better,” Sullivan said. “Then when you know better, do better.”