Michael Vozelli was just like any Harriton student. Hard working, excited for his future, and very into having fun. He dreamed of being an Olympic runner and dedicated himself to that goal. At the age of 21, his life was stretched out before him like the stairway to heaven, and all he had to do was walk up. Although Mr. Vozelli had been drinking illegally since the age of 13, he and friends took a trip to Atlantic City to celebrate his coming of age. On the ride home, Vozelli made a life defining choice- he got behind the wheel, drunk. “I’d never done it before, so why couldn’t I do it just this once? But it only takes one time,” says Vozelli. That one time caused the accident that paralyzed his left side, and gave him permanent brain damage.  20 years later, Vozelli works with Cruisin’ Not Boozin’ to educate people about the effects their behavior could have. Vozelli’s case is an extreme one, but what happened to him can happen to anyone, and we can all learn from him. Here is what he has to say:

Harrtion Banner: Why do you think drugs and alcohol are a part of high school culture?

Well, when you see everyone else doing it, like on TV, it all looks so cool. It all looks so fun, but they don’t show you what could possibly happen as a result of overindulgence or bad decision-making

HB: The Harriton Banner has been taking a mass survey about drug and alcohol culture here at our school. A lot of responses have been that “it doesn’t matter what we do, because drinking is inevitable.” What do you have to say to these people?

Everybody thinks it’s going to happen to somebody else, but you know what you are that somebody else to everybody else. It isn’t inevitable but it is preventable. The main reason you don’t hear about people dying very often is because there are more people surviving with life-altering injuries because of airbags, and seat belts and things like that. The truth is that there are more people surviving and you don’t hear about them, and how hard their life is as a result.

HB: We know you were an incredible runner before the accident and that athletics were a huge part of you life. What is one takeaway for all the student athletes that heard you speak today?

Nobody is invincible. I was a small kid, but I was healthy and physically fit. I was strong, and could hang with the big boys, but I wasn’t invincible. You may be good at what you do, no great at what you do, but you aren’t invincible.

HB: What is the message you hope to pass on to students?

What I want people to take away is that everything that you do now really affects you for the rest of your life. You always think that oh, this beer isn’t going to hurt me in ten years, but at the end of the night those six beers might end your life that night. It could change your life that night, and for the rest of your life. If you could get help, stop drinking and stop doing drugs right now then do it. It sucks the life right out of you.

HB: To the students who wish to actively try and change the culture, what is your advice them?

Keep trying. Even though it might just change a little bit, keep trying. Somebody else might build upon that and each day it will change more. You’re never going to see the fruits of your labor but in the end you will have contributed to the change.

Mr. Vozelli says “I didn’t destroy my life. I changed it. I can do the best with what I have. I can help people learn from my mistakes.” Through his work as a physical therapist, and as a speaker for Cruisin’ Not Boosin’, he is doing just that. His words strike a chord with everyone. From the freshman who has never had anything to drink, to the senior who “parties” every weekend, we can all benefit from Mr Vozelli’s wisdom. Mr Vozelli’s wisdom came at a price, but he shares it for free, so no one else has to learn the hard way.