Sheriff tells seniors to focus on making good choices in life and refrain from bad ones such as using alcohol or drugs to celebrate Prom night and graduation; Also encourages them to attend Project Graduation party

Sheriff James Pohlmann addresses Chalmette High seniors at their graduation rehersal in the former gym.

Sheriff Pohlmann and Chalmette High Principal wayne Warner after the sheriff addressed seniors.

Sheriff James Pohlmann had a message for Chalmette High seniors he addressed during their graduation rehearsal: focus on making good choices in life and refrain from bad ones like any temptation to use alcohol or drugs to celebrate your graduation.

“Prom Night and Graduation Night are nights to remember,” the sheriff said. “But you have to focus on making good choices in your life’’ to create good memories. “Good people can make bad choices sometimes,’’ he told seniors gathered in the old Chalmette High gym for graduation rehearsal.

And sometimes those choices can be fatal, he said.

“You want happy memories about how your date looked at the Prom, or memories of your loved ones and how happy they were for you when you graduated,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. Don’t end up with sad memories over something you will always remember because you made the wrong choice, he said.

Sheriff Pohlmann said he has memories of seeing teen-agers who had been killed in vehicle crashes after drinking alcohol and memories of then seeing their devastated relatives whose lives had been changed by the sad news they received. Everyone wants seniors to have fun, he said. “Don’t mess it up with alcohol or drugs and by making bad choices.’’

Senior Prom night is May 11 and graduation night for Chalmette High is May 16. Sheriff Pohlmann also told the teen-agers to consider staying after graduation for the all-night party hosted by St. Bernard Project Graduation, a nonprofit group made up of volunteers, which is held until 6 a.m. the morning after. This is Project Graduation’s 20th anniversary.

It’s an alcohol-free night of carnival-like games, music, food and a chance to win cash prizes if they spend the night in the back ballroom of the Frederick Sigur Civic Center after graduation ceremonies are over in the front half of the building. “It will be fun,’’ the sheriff said. “Have a great safe night’’ at the Prom and graduation.