Teen aged designated driver stays sober, rewarded with suspension

A high school student in North Andover, MA., went to party after receiving a call from a friend who was too intoxicated to drive home; the police cleared the honor student from any wrong doing, but her high school had a very different view.

The Eagle Tribune, reports that North Andover High School demoted senior Erin Cox from being captain of the volleyball team and suspended from playing for five games for helping out a friend.

Two weeks ago, Cox received a call from a friend at a party who was too drink to drive. When she got there to pick up her friend, North Andover police had also arrived. Police arrested several students for underage possession of alcohol, however, Cox was cleared by police for not drinking or in the possession of alcohol.

North Andover High School saw things differently. They believed Cox violated their strict policy against alcohol and drug abuse and punished the honor student.

The family has hired attorney Wendy Murphy to help overturn the school's decision and filed a lawsuit on Friday. A school lawyer argued against the lawsuit and the judge ruled the court did not have jurisdiction.

Others have voiced their support for the high school senior.

"I felt really bad for Erin because she honestly just wanted to help her friend," Cara Reiley said. Reiley is Cox's neighbor. "In my eyes, Erin's a hero and I think she should be rewarded for doing the right thing which I do believe she did, rather than being suspended and punished."

Reiley fears this sets a bad example to other students who might be in the same situation in the future.