Club Officer Training attends Crossroads High: Home of the Safe Drivers

October 2014 Volume 2, Issue 3 Inside this

issue:

2,3

4

5

6,7

8

9

: 10

Back to School Edition

When brainstorming for the Club Officer Training conference theme, the Student Advisory

Board kept coming back to the fact that since car crashes are the number one killer of

teens, it affects EVERYONE. No matter the clique, group, or team you belong to in school, car

crashes do not discriminate. From there, Crossroads High School was created; a high school full

of different cliques who don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye, but understand the importance of

safe driving. A 3-part skit was acted out on stage throughout the one-day conference on

September 17, 2014 that left a memorable and lasting

effect on the students, teachers, and

volunteers. National motivational speaker, Jeff

Yalden challenged the attendees to walk the talk and

let their actions on the road speak for them. Breakout

sessions included State Farm’s Celebrate My Drive, an

advocacy how-to, a law enforcement officer led

roundtable discussion, creative programming led by

Teens on the Move award winning teachers, a

highway safety game show, and a sponsor workshop focused on how to let the students lead.

We had 31 schools represented with 695 people in attendance. Victory for Crossroads High!

11

12

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

Page 2 Youthline

Jeff Yalden

Shirley Thomas and Sandra Moffett of MOHS

Officer 2 Officer workshop

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 3

Pearl ROTC and Brandon’s Candy Lee Dobbs

State Farm’s Emily Clark leads a Celebrate My Drive workshop

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

The 2nd annual Safety Training and Recognition Symposium (STARS) held by the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety brought together law enforcement, prevention partners, and community officials all in the name of highway safety. From September 22-25, STARS attendees learned what it would take to bring down motor vehicle crash fatalities in their areas through classes, meetings, and networking opportunities.

This year, the Mississippi Youth Highway Safety team taught a class on bridging the gap between law enforcement and teenagers when it comes to driving expectations and safety. Tawni Basden, De’Marco Fomby, and Alexandria Cantrell shared their ideas for the FY15 grants and how they would like to partner with law enforcement to present a united front to their respective regions. Officers then shared what they see most as a problem in their communities and what we can do together to be the solution.

MYHSP staff split up to attend the different sessions that were provided. Each member came together at the end of the day excited to share their knowledge. When classes were not in session, staff manned the vendor booth where resources were provided and new partnerships forged. On the last night, Tawni Basden, Program Director, presented a youth highway safety award to an officer in each region who worked side-by-side with staff members in their respective regions.

MYHSP director, Tawni Basden, presents the regional youth highway safety award to the officer of each region who best exemplified the prevention and law enforcement

partnership. Thank you for being Mississippi Youth Champions!

“You guys have no

idea what that does

for us to know the

voters of tomorrow

are on our side.”

Officer Josh Bromen,

Gulfport Police

Department

Page 4 Youthline

Miss Mississippi, Jasmine Murray, poses as the MYHSP newly licensed, Sally Safe Driver. Thank you for your support for Mississippi’s young drivers!

MYHSP staff pose behind their vendor booth at STARS

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

South MS: Justin McKenzie

Central MS: Kevin Poole

North MS: Jonathan Johnson

Mississippi Youth Highway Safety Programs is bringing Battle of the Belts back! The goal is to reduce the number of motor vehicle related injuries and fatalities among Mississippi high school students by increasing seat belt use. In 2013, there were 56 fatal car crashes involving Mississippi teens; 34 were not belted. A properly worn seat belt greatly increases your chances of surviving a motor vehicle collision.

Using a seat belt is the single most effective way to reduce the chance of injury or death in a motor vehicle collision. Battle of the Belts is a seat belt competition for Mississippi high schools. Two competing schools will have two unannounced pre/post seat belt checks with educational awareness activities between the seat belt checks provided by the MYHSP staff, school club and law enforcement. A trophy will be awarded at the end of the competition to the winning school with the highest percentage of seat belt usage.

account for 33% of the teen fatalities. One of the ways we can protect our teens is to limit the access to alcohol. Selling or giving alcohol to minors under 21 is an issue in every community.

Did you know: In the United States there is 1 crash every 5 seconds and 1 alcohol-related crash fatality every 33 minutes. Teens account for 7 motor vehicle fatalities per day. In 2013, of the 56 Mississippi teens that died

in a car crash, 19 were alcohol- related, which

Therefore, MYHSP and the SAB will be assisting local, county and state law enforcement in sobriety checkpoints to educate parents and teens alike on the Social Host Law and the effects of drinking and driving.

Battle of the Belts

Sobriety Checkpoints

Sticker Shock Mississippi Youth Safe-Driving Coalition, Student Advisory Board and school clubs will visit various convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, placing stickers on cases of beer and wine coolers. The stickers will alert adults to think twice before purchasing alcohol for someone underage.

Studies show that many youth in our state have access to alcohol because someone over 21 is buying it for them. In response, coalitions across Mississippi participate in Project Sticker Shock. The Mississippi Youth Highway Safety Programs,

Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 3

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

2014-2015 Student Advisory Board Page 6 Youthline

The 26 year legacy forged by Mississippi’s Youth Highway Safety Student Advisory Board (SAB) lives on in the 2014-2015 group of 30 students who have been chosen after an application and interview process to educate their peers on safe driving habits. These teens travel from all across the state to meet with the MYHSP staff one weekend a month for ten months to plan the two statewide conferences, Club Officer Training and Teens on the Move. When they aren’t planning or practicing, they are implementing the learned leadership skills and highway safety training needed to provide a peer-to-peer car crash prevention model within their schools and communities.

SAB enjoying Miller’s pizza after a hard day’s work

SAB veterans get to know the rookies in a game of fast-paced questions

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

Page 7 Volume 2, Issue 3

DeeDee B - Philadelphia High School Nathaniel L. - Ocean Springs High School Cynda B - Terry High School Kent M. - Noxubee County High School Hannah B. - Brandon High School Kelsey M. - Terry High School Taylor C. - Biloxi High School Zoria N. - Louisville High School Tousdai D. - Enterprise High School Reagan N. - Biloxi High School Sha E. - Newton High School Jasmine P. - Leake County High School Trevor H. - Greene County High School Kirsten R. - Northwest Rankin High School Tia H. - McLaurin Attendance Center Katie Beth S. - East Rankin Academy Robert H. - Tri-County Academy Raven S. - Mendenhall High School Javarcia I. - Clinton High School Maggie S. - Hancock High School Raegan J. - Biloxi High School Kensey T. - Brandon High School Keara J. - MS School of the Arts Leigha W. - Terry High School Libby L. - Philadelphia High School Asia W. - Brandon High School Erin L. - Starkville Academy Bryanna Y. - Clinton High School Logan Y. - Greene County High School

Logan and Trevor poster Greene Co. High with seat belt reminders

SAB newbies pose for a picture during SAB

orientation

SAB get together for a selfie during a COT planning break

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

From October 23-31, 2014, children, teens, parents, teachers, and the MYHSP team will be recognizing Red Ribbon Week, a time set aside to bring awareness to the positive outcomes of being drug-free. In 1988, The National Family Partnership (NFP) sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and

encourage participation in drug prevention activities. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards a drug-free America. DREAM, Inc. is Mississippi’s Red Ribbon Coordinator. Don’t be left out! To learn more about Red Ribbon Week visit www.dreaminc.org. The

MYHSP team will be all over the state ready to help your students join the movement!

Mississippi administers a school survey called SmartTrack, an online youth-focused, self-reporting survey for 7th-12 graders for past 30-day and past year drug use, attitudes, and perceived risk of harm. Data is collected annually from 125,000 middle and high schools statewide.

Just remember “5 to Drive”.

1. Buckle up

2. Put down the phone

3. Obey the speed limit

4. Don’t drink and drive

5. Don’t carry extra passengers

The 2014 dates for Teen Driver Safety Week sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is October 18-26, 2014. Our MYHSP team will be presenting across Mississippi that week to share information that just might help save a life while driving.

Page 8 Youthline

In 2013, 79% of Mississippi

middle and high school students stated they knew that Mississippi currently has a law requiring drivers and passengers to wear a

seat belt.

Only 45% of those students

then reported they ALWAYS wore their seat belt.

When polled, 1 of every 4 Mississippi students admitted

to riding in a vehicle with an impaired

(under the influence) driver in the past 12

months.

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

Keeping teen drivers safe and alive is a cause to celebrate! State Farm wants to provide just that; a celebration of smart choices made on the road by new teen drivers. The Celebrate My Drive initiative was created to prevent the distracted driving epidemic that’s sweeping the nation. Their simple mantra is 2N2 - 2 eyes on the road, 2 hands on the wheel.

On the days of October 15-24, 2014, 3100 schools nationwide will be making safe driving promises. The following prizes will be given to those schools with the most commitments.

* 90 high schools will win a $25,000 grant

* 10 high schools will win a $100,000 grant

* 2 high schools will win a concert at their school performed by Band Perry!

Congratulations to our Mississippi winners of the

2013 Celebrate My Drive sweepstakes, Raleigh High

School and Taylorsville High School!!!

Celebrate My Drive 2014 has 81 Mississippi schools

registered!

www.celebratemydrive.com

Page 9 Volume 2, Issue 3

SAB pose with Emily Clark, a State Farm Public Affairs

Specialist, who has taught a Celebrate My Drive workshop

at COT for two years

The Band Perry will be performing for the top

2 Celebrate My Drive schools. Let’s bring them back to their

home state!

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

Which of the following are you willing to give up?

Money: $10,000.00 (Average cost of a DUI) Car: Suspended Driver License for one year (which means no driving and no car) Time: Your personal time to work to pay fines or work off community service hours Freedom: If someone dies because of your driving under the influence Your life….it can happen

Page 10 Youthline

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

Homecoming is a time to dress up, celebrate with friends, take pictures and make memories. Yet, some teens opt to get impaired with alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or prescription drugs. When under the influence of substances, drugs impair the memory, decrease inhibitions, decision making skills and motor skills, which are all needed to drive. Driving requires our cognitive (thinking) skills to focus on the road ahead, motor skills to drive and obey road rules, and vision and perception skills. As new drivers, this combination can have fatal or lifelong consequences. Is drinking and then driving really worth it?

If you find yourself with friends that may have been drinking, what will you do? Make a plan and discuss with your parents. Did you know, Mississippi has a Social Host Law that holds the adult who knowingly allows youth to drink alcohol on their property legally responsible for every underage drinker’s safety? A social host violation is considered a misdemeanor, punishable of a fine up to $1,000 and/or 90 days imprisonment per count. Let Homecoming be about the memories made, not the negative consequences that could possibly happen.

Page 11 Volume 2, Issue 3

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.

DREAM, Inc,, ‘s Madison Rankin Prevention Partnership and Region 8 Mental Health with help from the Mississippi

Department of Mental Health’s Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services are hosting an event to raise awareness

for National Drinking and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. This year’s 3-D event promises to be a fun-filled

day for all who attend, and one that you do not want to miss. See you there!

WHY: December is National Drinking and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, known as 3D month. It is a time to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. More alcohol and drug related traffic fatalities occur in December than any other month.

It is because of these alarming facts that local community organizations have partnered in an effort to encourage Mississippians to be safe and responsible drivers for the holidays and beyond.

When: Saturday, December 6, 2014

9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn parking lot in front of Trustmark Park Pearl, MS

T a w n i B a s d e n , D i r e c t o r

6 0 1 - 9 3 3 - 9 1 9 7 t b a s d e n @ d r e a m i n c . o r g

S t a t e w i d e a n d C e n t r a l R e g i o n

D e ’ M a r c o F o m b y , S p e c i a l i s t 6 0 1 - 9 3 3 - 9 1 6 4 d f o m b y @ d r e a m i n c . o r g N o r t h e r n r e g i o n A l e x a n d r i a C a n t r e l l , C o o r d i n a t o r 6 0 1 - 9 3 3 - 9 1 9 1 a c a n t r e l l @ d r e a m i n c . o r g S o u t h e r n R e g i o n

North and South

Like us at

www.fb.com/MsYHSP

Statewide and Central

Tweet us

@MsYHSP

Tag us @msyhsp

The mission of the Mississippi Youth Highway Safety Programs is to decrease youth motor vehicle fatalities and injuries by improving seat belt usage and decreasing impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving. If you see a need in your school, club, or

community for this message, please contact us and we will work with you to save lives on Mississippi roads.

This program is funded by monies made available by NHTSA and is a partnership between the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and DREAM, Inc.