Dozens of students recently took part in a hands-on program designed to teach practical life skills and highlight the real-world consequences of risky decisions.

The Kiwanis Club of Leesville hosted its annual “Reality Check” event at Leesville High School, where 38 students spent their off day participating in interactive lessons focused on safety, responsibility and life readiness.

The program was held in partnership with Louisiana State Police Troop E, based in Alexandria, which has supported the initiative since its beginning.

Students rotated through a series of demonstrations and activities aimed at preparing them for challenges they may encounter as young adults. Topics included changing a tire, checking engine oil, how to respond during traffic stops, and the basics of banking such as writing checks, using debit cards and understanding credit scores.

Participants also learned about the dangers of impaired driving through simulations using “drunk goggles,” which mimic the effects of intoxication and allow students to experience how alcohol can impact coordination and judgment.

Additional sessions addressed the risks of vaping, the hazards of social media, and the role of DNA in investigations, including how easily DNA can be transferred and how it can assist in cases involving missing children.

Organizers said the goal of the program is to give teenagers the knowledge and resources they need to make responsible choices as they transition into adulthood, while also allowing them to interact with state troopers in a positive environment and ask questions about safety and the law.