Kenston High School senior Emily Goldsmith was a passenger in a car driven by a friend in March 2002 in Portage County when an intoxicated driver crossed the center line and struck their vehicle head-on.
Kenston High School senior Emily Goldsmith was a passenger in a car driven by a friend in March 2002 in Portage County when an intoxicated driver crossed the center line and struck their vehicle head-on.
Emily, who was scheduled to graduate that May, died five days later in the hospital.
Her memory lives on through an enduring program her father, Richard Goldsmith, a retired Chagrin Falls police officer, created in response to the tragedy. The program, “Your Life, Your Choice,” is now organized annually by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and marked its 20th anniversary March 3 at Parkside Church in Bainbridge Township.
“We feel that this program is very important to present to the high school students,” said Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand. “I wish that every school in the county would participate in this program. It is impossible to measure how many lives have been saved and how many families have not had to experience the loss of a loved one.”
The program aims to give students a realistic look at the consequences of risky decisions — particularly those involving substance use, impaired driving and other high-risk behaviors such as texting while driving — as prom and graduation season approaches.
Through visual demonstrations, personal stories and partnerships with community organizations, the program aims to leave a lasting impression on participating students.
Power of Initiative-taking Education
“The goal has always been prevention through education — empowering young people to understand that their choices matter and that one decision can change a life forever,” said GCSO Crisis Response Director Tracey Jordan.
Jordan leads the GCSO team that organizes the event, which takes months of planning.
“This program represents what makes Geauga County strong — collaboration, compassion and a commitment to protecting our youth,” she said. “I want readers to understand that this program is about prevention, awareness and hope. It is not designed to scare students, but to show them the real-life ripple effects of their choices. More importantly, we want young people to know it is ‘Your Life Your Choice’ and to make the right choice.”
Participating schools this year included Kenston and Perry high schools and Gilmour Academy. In previous years, more Geauga County schools have taken part, Jordan said.
One of the day’s highlights was a realistic live demonstration coordinated by the sheriff’s office and local first responders. The scenario portrayed the consequences of impaired driving or substance misuse, allowing students to witness how quickly a situation can escalate — from emergency response to medical intervention and potential legal consequences.
A video Richard created more than two decades ago also shared his family’s story in his own words.
“Months after we lost our precious Emily, I felt at some point, I needed to do something to prevent others from feeling and going through what my family was living with,” Richard said. “I thought while telling people how deeply it affected us, maybe a better approach might be to also mention how they could prevent it, in other words … options. The option would be, don’t let people drink and drive, take the keys, call the police etc… The purpose and the calling are the same, it is all about choices, not mistakes, but choices.”
One condition he set when establishing the program was that speakers should not appear to lecture or scold students, but instead help them understand they have choices.
The Geauga County Local Outreach Supporting Survivors Team also participated, providing compassionate support to families and individuals affected by loss. Team members brought roses for families in attendance as a symbol of remembrance, love and community support.
“What makes this initiative unique is the partnership between law enforcement, schools and support teams like the LOSS Team,” Jordan said. “Together, they create not only a powerful educational experience, but also a safety net for families long after the event ends.”
Protecting the Future
“At its heart, ‘Your Life, Your Choice’ is about protecting the next generation, and reminding them that their lives are valuable, their choices matter and their community stands behind them,” Jordan said.
At the conclusion of the program, the sound of bagpipes filled the foyer as students walked through a “Walk of Remembrance” lined with posters honoring sons and daughters who lost their lives in crashes involving drinking and driving.
Sheri Holodinski, a Kenston High School senior, described the program as both incredibly sad and moving.
She said hearing from incarcerated individuals about their experiences had a strong impact and that learning about the Goldsmith family’s loss weighed heavily on her.
Her biggest takeaway was the importance of not texting while driving and keeping her phone out of reach when she is behind the wheel, she said.
According to a March 2, 2026, article in Forbes, “Texting and driving is one of the riskiest behaviors drivers can engage in behind the wheel. When you send or read a text, you may only take your eyes off of the road for a few seconds. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving at 55 mph while sending or reading a text message for five seconds is the same as driving an entire length of a football field with your eyes shut.”
Kenston High School Assistant Principal Matt Watts said the program holds special meaning for the school community because Emily was one of their own.
“I am grateful to the Geauga County Sheriff’s (Office) and the Goldsmith family, especially Dick Goldsmith, for sharing this impactful message with students in our area each year,” Watts said. “We may never truly know how many lives have been saved over the last 20 years.
“Although our current students didn’t know Emily or her family, her story really hits home to our students each year,” he added. “Our students feel a connection knowing that Emily grew up in the same community and attended the same schools as our students today. This year was especially impactful as Sheriff Hildenbrand recognized 2026 as the 20th year of the ‘Your Life, Your Choice’ program and pointed out that Emily’s parents were in attendance.”
Organizers and attendees expressed hope that more schools across the county will plan to include “Your Life, Your Choice” in their curriculum in 2027 and beyond.
“When there is a tragedy with a student, it affects the entire community,” Hildenbrand said. “We feel confident that we have made a difference with this moving program that deals with impaired driving, distracted driving, as well as peer pressure.”
