DODGE COUNTY OFFICIALS IMPART ADVICE TO STUDENTS AT WAUPUN HIGH SCHOOL

WAUPUN -- They didn't mince words or try to varnish the truth.

Standing before a roomful of sophomore and freshmen students, the
message from local officials was unmistakably clear: choices -- good
or bad -- have the power to open the doors of opportunity or shut the
cell door.

Dodge County District Attorney Steve Bauer, Sheriff Todd Nehls and
Circuit Court Judge Daniel Klossner gave sage advice to Waupun High
School students as part of a panel during the "Risky Business"
seminar on Jan. 29.

Nuggets of wisdom imparted to students include:

Sheriff Todd Nehls

"I interview people all the time for jobs at the Sheriff's
Department. Even if you have one underage drinking ticket on your
record, you would be eliminated from qualifying for that position."

"Those split-second decisions you make can impact the rest of your
life. If you hit someone while driving drunk or high you will never
forget the person you hurt or killed."

District Attorney Steven Bauer

"Don't think it can't happen to you or that the DA is going to cut
you some slack because you were a young kid when it happened. That
isn't the way the world works. There are consequences for your
actions and they will stay with you for a long time."

"Don't let yourself get pulled into something illegal by helping just
a little bit, because you're going to get charged for the whole thing
and suffer the same consequences."

Judge Daniel Klossner

"You have obligations as human beings to take care of one another.
Don't let your friend get behind the wheel drunk or get in the car
with a drunk driver."

"One underage possession may affect your ability to get a college
loan for a year. One delivery conviction on your record, and you will
never be able to get a college loan ever."

"Methamphetamine is the most addictive drug out there. Don't try it,
ever. If you do, it will take your entire life away from you."

"I see so many young women who have children that are destined to a
life of poverty because they can't get the education to get the job
they need to support their family."