Gifford students' safe driving efforts win award

Gifford Street High School students received $2,000 for their school to promote responsible driving techniques during Teen Safe Driving Week in January, and now they are celebrating a first-place win for their efforts.

Operation Teen Safe Driving is a joint initiative of the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Transportation Safety, and The Allstate Foundation.

Of the 15 schools in Region 2, Gifford Street High School placed first in the competition, earning a $2,500 cash award and an invite to the Ford Driving Skills for Life, Ride and Drive event April 30 at US Cellular Field.

Gifford Street High School's inaugural Teen Safe Driving Week was held Jan. 19-23 and was led by members of the student council, who nicknamed themselves the Safety Viking Squad.

Students organized an all-school assembly, hosted a series of training modules about safe driving and participated in the Ford Academy's Driving Skills for Life program. When asked to reflect on the initiative, students said they learned a lot of facts and statistics about safe driving. Several students indicated they have changed their own driving habits and encourage others to do the same.

"They feel motivated to do even more great things and to continue the great teamwork that they experienced throughout the process," said Michelle Lewis-Kapp, a co-sponsor of the Gifford Street High School Student Council.

Students plan to use their $2,500 prize money to cover part of the transportation costs of getting to US Cellular Field in April and to pay for several enhancements to the Spring Fling dance they are organizing for May 8. The students want to hire a professional DJ, rent a photo booth, provide catered food, buy decorations and offer door prizes at the dance.

"Gifford Street High School's achievement is impressive. These students initiated a new campaign within their school and worked hard to make it successful," said U-46 CEO Tony Sanders. "We are very proud of these students' accomplishments and grateful for their efforts to highlight the importance of safe driving."