Gunn graduate Gea Kang ('07) was recently honored with an award of $500 from the Santa Clara County Police Chiefs' Association for her participation in the 2007 Sober Graduation Journalism contest. Kang's column, entitled "Sobering Lessons from Behind Bars," ran in last year's April issue of The Oracle. "It was an honor," Kang said. "I heard the news when I was traveling in Korea, and that made my day."

On Apr. 16, students, reporters, photographers and local police academy cadets attended the Sober Graduation Reality Check all-day event. Participants witnessed mock driving under the influence (DUI) arrests, visited the Santa Clara County Main Jail North, which houses DUI inmates, and visited the morgue at the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office.

For Kang, it was all about getting the point across to the community. Kang hopes that reflecting and writing about her experience impacted other students. "Through this Sober Grad program, it's encouraging to see that there are people who believe that writing is a bridge that can connect people and, hopefully in the long run, incite change about issues that affect all of us," Kang said.