A former Appalachian student and Boone native passed away during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from injuries sustained in an automobile crash. The student and his family were occupants of a vehicle that was hit by an impaired driver traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 105 in Boone. The victim was the brother of a current Appalachian student who was also in the car. The holiday season and month of December is a high-risk time for impaired driving. In response to this tragedy and in recognition of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, please encourage the students in your classrooms or organizations to commit to a safe holiday season and a safe 2008 by taking the university’s Prevent Impaired Driving Pledge located at www.wellness.appstate.edu.