May 16, 2018
Rutherford County Schools
A yearlong anti-texting while driving campaign culminated with Siegel High School being awarded $2,500 and first place for their “Be in the Zone—Turn Off Your Phone” campaign.
The campaign was sponsored by The Allstate Foundation and Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.
Prize money will provide scholarships for the students who spearheaded the project.
Student ambassadors involved with initiative were Hannah Milhorn, Klara Houck, Tad Marks, John Ross Langworthy, and Ryan Hill. Siegel teachers Jennifer Bettag and Travis Childers were co-faculty sponsors.
Marks said helping place stoplights at busy intersections and being thrown in the back of a hearse to portray the potential outcomes of this problem left a strong impression on him.
“Even if this program only saves one possible life out of the thousands we tried to reach, all the hard work would be worth it for me,” Marks said. “This program has been a highlight of my high school career and I want to encourage anyone reading this that you can make a difference too.
“All it takes is a strong will and support from some amazing people.”
The yearlong commitment included a youth service empowerment project with the City of Murfreesboro and multiple events on the Siegel campus to promote safe driving.
The culminating event was a mock crash.
Mandatory program requirements included a submission of activity plan, three unannounced driver observations, completion of three mandatory and two created activities, and a campaign book upon completion of the campaign.
Allstate agent Derrick Maddox supported the program financially along with the Thumbprint Challenge. Mayor Shane McFarland and Traffic Engineer Ram Balachandran also offered their support for the program.
For more information about the “Be in the Zone,” contact Jennifer Bettag at [email protected].
PHOTOS PROVIDED