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Teen and Sober - April 18, 2005

Teen Newsweek

Perspectives QA

Miss Teen USA, 18-year-old Shelley Hennig, has traveled the country warning kids about the dangers of underage drinking. In 2001, Shelley's brother, Brad, 18, was killed in a drunk-driving crash. She has teamed with BuzzFree Prom, a program that urges teens to celebrate the prom without alcohol or drugs. Shelley, a high school senior in Destrehan, La., recently spoke to TEEN NEWSWEEK.

TN: How did you deal with your brother's death?

Shelley Henning: [At first], I would talk about my brother like he was still here. That's just how I handled it. But people didn't know that when I went home, it was a totally different world. It was black. You couldn't talk about [the accident] and if you did, it was all crying.

TN: Tell me about BuzzFree.

SH: BuzzFree allows students to sign a pledge saying that they will have a drug-free, alcohol-free prom. In return, they get discounts on prom merchandise. It's kind of like bribing them, but I think it's important that more students hear about the tragedies that have happened. Most people would think I have a perfect life. People who hear my story ... finally process in their heads that it can happen to them. Hopefully, they are starting to think, "What's the point of ruining your entire life over one night?

TN: You visit schools. How do kids react to your story?

SH: Even though you have kids tearing up and crying, you'll still have that one in the back ... not really paying attention. You can't get through to everyone, but even if [you get through to] one person, it's still worth it.

TN: What are your prom safety tips?

SH: Let your parents know exactly what you're doing. You don't have to drink to have fun.

TN: Do you have plans for prom night?

SH: We got a party bus. It's going to take us to a restaurant, then to the dance. After that it's going to take us to New Orleans. There's always music somewhere, so we just dance in the streets. It's harmless fun.

TN: Who's your date?

SH: A friend. He was going to ask me to the homecoming dance, but someone [else] asked me [first]. He got upset, so I promised him prom.