By Alexandria Brimage-Gray
Fay Observer
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — From the outside, the bus looks like an ordinary school bus in the front and a prison transport bus in the rear.
But when students at Lewis Chapel Middle School stepped inside, the discussions were more serious than normal bus chatter.
Hidden behind dark black curtains was a replica of an Alabama Department of Corrections prison cell. Students listened as inmates on videos talked about the choices they made and the consequences of those decisions.
When the videos ended, the curtains were drawn to reveal the simulated prison cell complete with metal bunk beds and mannequins. Nearby was a small adjoining sink and toilet.
The Choice Bus was an eye-opening experience for some of the students.
“I feel like I need to change, I need to do better in terms of getting my education,’' said 13-year old Mikala Lock. “I do not want to have to suffer like those inmates in the video or even think about dropping out of school.”
The Choice Bus was at Lewis Chapel to educate students about making better choices. Every 26 seconds across America, organizers said, a student drops out of high school.
Full story: Choice bus gives Lewis Chapel Middle School students glimpse of a life behind bars