It’s Prom Weekend for many area high schools. And the Prom season presents the perfect opportunity for law enforcement and school officials to emphasize student safety.

The Illinois State Police were joined by Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police and Watseka Police yesterday (Friday) to remind high school students to buckle up and pay attention to their responsibility behind the wheel.

The scene at Watseka High School (Friday) afternoon was also displayed at GCMS in Gibson City and at Manteno -- to get that message out there.

Sgt. Steven Sigler, Safety Education Officer for District 21 of the State Police and M/S Angie Kinstner of the State police say it’s all about being safe.

"It's all about education. We want to make sure we educate students and parents and the community about having safe graduations and proms," says Sgt. Steven Sigler of the District 21 state police.  Master Sgt. Angie Kinstner also said "we emphasize P. R.O.M., an ancronym for Please Return on Monday.  We want all to have fun and be safe so all return to school on Monday."

Officers made their presence known at all exits around the high school as students called it a day. It’s Prom Weekend. It’s a celebration. It’s fun for the young adults.

But it’s also time to remember that graduation and Prom calls for a little more responsibility. The students, Sigler says, are receptive.

Tragic accidents involving teens have made the news all too often, recent accidents right here in the WGFA-listening area.

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