RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City High Schools will host the annual Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment prevention program on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Central High School, and Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the South Dakota National Guard Armory (SDNG Range Road) for students from Stevens High School.
Nearly 1,000 freshmen are expected to participate in the full-day programs, which run from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. each day.
Public Notice: Emergency Activity & First Responder Presence
Throughout both days, members of the public will notice a heavy presence of emergency vehicles, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical equipment, and the Black Hills Life Flight (BHLF) helicopter in and around Central High School and the SDNG Range Road Armory. Emergency lights and sirens will be active periodically during the events.
This is a planned prevention education exercise. The community should not be alarmed by the presence of emergency response personnel or vehicles.
Interactive Learning & Realistic Scenarios
Freshman Impact brings together local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, attorneys, judges, and other first responders to give students a hands-on look at the real-life consequences of destructive decisions.
Students will participate in interactive learning stations and realistic demonstrations, including:
- Impaired-driving demonstrations using Fatal Vision goggles
- Mock accident-response scenarios featuring first responders and life-flight operations
- A mock sentencing hearing led by local judges and attorneys
- A mock funeral service highlighting the personal impact of fatal choices
- Substance-use prevention and teen suicide awareness stations
- Social media safety risks, youth leadership, and team-building activities
About Freshman Impact
Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment is a powerful, one-day community prevention program designed to help freshmen experience, firsthand, the physical and emotional consequences of high-risk behaviors. Through interactive scenarios, students gain practical tools to make safer, healthier choices that protect themselves, their families, and their communities.
In addition to educating students, the program strengthens relationships between young people and local first responders, while providing emergency personnel with valuable opportunities to train together across agencies.
Visitor & Attendee Information
For the safety of students, volunteers, and visitors, everyone attending must sign in at the welcome desk.
