Moorpark High to receive grant for safe driving campaign

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S., but students at Moorpark High School are doing something about it.

These students have earned a $2,000 grant to create a driversafety campaign as part of Project Ignition, a service-learning program sponsored by State Farm Insurance and the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC).

The grant was presented at a news conference at the school on Sept. 16 during a morning pep rally. State Farm agents Darrell Sneed, Moy Serrano, Lynda Rummelhoff and Kurt Weston, all of Moorpark, presented the grant check.

Project Ignition began in 2004 to increase awareness of safe driving habits among high school students. As one of 25 schools selected to participate in this year’s program, Moorpark High students will create a public awareness campaign focusing on teen driver safety that targets their peers and communities.

Ten of these schools will present their campaigns at the 17th annual National Service-Learning Conference in Philadelphia next year where one school will be awarded a $10,000 grant from State Farm.

Moorpark High’s project, TwoHands.org, will reinforce the central theme of “[keep] Two Hands on the wheel!” This encourages teens to set and maintain a safe posture while driving, avoiding the distractions of their cell phone, radio, fast food and other activities. The program will be highlighted during one or more school events and will include a website, www.TwoHands.org.

“Project Ignition embodies the true meaning of service-learning showing how teens can educate for change in their communities and with their peers,” said Dr. James Kielsmeier, president of NYLC. “Teen driving behavior and habits are a major factor in teen driving accidents. Project Ignition uses schools, teachers and classrooms to initiate projects and ideas to address risky behaviors and educate teens on the risks they face every time they get behind the wheel. By educating for change, we change attitudes.”

For more information about Project Ignition, visit the website www.sfprojectignition.com.