Today, Tuesday, (May 6th, 2025) the Hillside Fire Department (hillside_firefighters) and the Hillside Board of Education partnered to bring the “After the Fire” assembly program to Hillside High School’s Class of 2025! The assembly took place at 11:00 a.m. in the Hillside High School auditorium. “After the Fire” revolves around two college freshmen survivors (Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons) of the tragic dormitory fire that occurred in 2000 at Seton Hall University in nearby South Orange, NJ. The fire in Boland Hall claimed the lives of three students and injured 58 others. This fire remains one of the deadliest college fires in history. The fire was a result of a fraternity prank gone wrong. While many of the Class of 2025 are preparing to go off to college, almost none will think about their safety while living on campus. This assembly presentation showed the graduating students how things can change in the blink of an eye and how danger can strike, even in a place where they think they are safe. In addition to sharing fire safety tips, other topics included pranking/hazing and the consequences of these actions, learning to love yourself despite your scars, flaws, and imperfections, escape planning and complacency, forgiveness, and overcoming adversity at a young age! Members of the Hillside Fire Department were in attendance for this informative presentation for our seniors! Thank you to Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons @alvaroandshaw, for coming to speak to our seniors! Thank you Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education , the Hillside Fire Department, Hillside High School staff, and students!
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