On Aug. 5, 2012, CHS graduate Brett Finbloom died from alcohol poisoning. Now his parents are spreading his story through the Indiana Lifeline Law and the Brett Ryan Finbloom Scholarship. Red Ribbon Week, a week devoted to alcohol and drug prevention, is scheduled to start Oct. 21 (CHS will have events starting Oct. 23), and Finbloom’s message and story provide a harsh reality check about the dangers of underage drinking.

The Indiana Lifeline Law took effect on July 1, 2013. According to Indiana Lifeline Law, this law ‘provides immunity to persons who reveal themselves to law enforcement while seeking medical assistance for a person suffering from an alcohol-related health emergency.’

Brett’s mother, Dawn Finbloom, said, “The motivation was to get the message out every year because every year, there’s a new batch of kids coming through. We want everyone to understand the consequences of binge drinking and underage drinking and also about Indiana’s Lifeline Law. The message needs to be continual, not just during Red Ribbon Week. It’s keeping the talk going.”

This scholarship is endowed, which means that it grows on interest and funds at least $1,000 every year. Donations are accepted through the Carmel Education Foundation and can be made during the men’s soccer games. To qualify for the scholarship, students must participate in community service or school activities that relate to spreading Brett’s message about dangerous underage drinking, making good decisions, the Choose to Live program and the Lifeline Law. Students must write an essay explaining what they’ve done to pass on the message. Mr. and Mrs. Finbloom will then choose the senior that best serves Brett’s message.

While the scholarship is only for seniors, Mrs. Finbloom said students should start spreading the message from when they are underclassmen. Students should contact her at [email protected] to let her know they are applying and tell her what they are going to do so she knows what to expect when she receives the essays.

“It would be nice if you let us know what you were doing along the way, so it’s not a shock when we get your essay,” Mrs. Finbloom said.

Senior Trevor Sarsfield said he is applying for the scholarship and has been working to spread the message. So far, he has worked at a community church for the Hunter Smith concert at Clay Middle School, shared links of stories that Mrs. Finbloom posts on her Facebook page and worked with others to dedicate the soccer games to Brett. Sarsfield said the varsity soccer team wears bracelets in Brett’s honor and plays the game with heart in remembrance.

“It would be such an incredible honor to win the scholarship in his name. It’s a great thing to do and I want to get his message out there,” Sarsfield said.

Michele Whelchel, chief advancement officer for Indiana Youth Services Association, said she believes this scholarship is an incentive for students to not only make good decisions and choose not to drink but also to help others make that choice. She said Brett’s story shows the dangers of binge drinking and that it can provide a strong message during Red Ribbon Week.

Mrs. Finbloom said, “We’re looking for what someone’s done to get the message out about the dangers of underage drinking and also the Indiana Lifeline Law. That’s really what we’re looking for. It’s not somebody’s grade point average. It’s not someone’s need. It’s what they’ve done.”