"Forever 15: Tragedy on the Water" was the concept of Waco Lake Park Rangers, Elizabeth Anderson and Randall McCartney. A mock drowning filmed by Waco Independent School District film students May 4 and a recovery operation conducted May 22 was all part of an elaborate water safety public service announcement, following the already successful "Shattered Dreams" program that involves the dramatization of an alcohol-related crash on or near a high school campus.

The real-time recovery operation was conducted in full view of about 120 students from the Bosqueville Independent School District. The program was embraced by the schools, City of Waco, Bosqueville county and civic and private organizations.