Stuarts Draft High School earns top awards for teen-related traffic crash prevention efforts

The Stuarts Draft High School YOVASO club was among the 17 award winners recognized during the annual Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety Awards Banquet held Wednesday at JMU.

A student from Louisa was also recognized. Virginia State Police Superintendent, Colonel Gary T. Settle, joined YOVASO with honoring the schools, students, teachers, and law enforcement from across Virginia who demonstrated exemplary efforts during the 2017-2018 school year to encourage safe driving and passenger safety among teenagers. The theme for the 2018 awards ceremony was “Mardi Gras, Unmasking the Key to Saving Teen Lives” to celebrate Virginia’s outstanding traffic safety advocates.

Outstanding Club Recognition: Stuarts Draft High School (Augusta Co.) In recognition of member clubs that have  previously received the Club of the Year Award and continue to maintain the same high level of performance and best practices for peer-to-peer traffic safety programs. 

Outstanding Club Recognition: Louisa County High School (Louisa Co.) In recognition of member clubs that have  previously received the Club of the Year Award and continue to maintain the same high level of performance and best practices for peer-to-peer traffic safety programs.

Distracted Driving Prevention Award: Louisa County High School (Louisa Co.) In recognition of a member club’s outstanding programs to prevent distracted driving among young drivers. Award may recognize one exceptional program or a body of work. 

Rock Star Award: Laura “Pink” Powell, Louisa County High School, (Louisa Co.) In recognition of a student who demonstrates enthusiasm and excitement in his/her school and community for promoting safe teen driving and passenger safety. This student is a champion for the cause and a vocal role model within the school and community.

YOVASO is Virginia’s peer-to-peer education and prevention program for teen driver safety. YOVASO is a program of the Virginia State Police and is funded by a grant from the Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office.  YOVASO has existed since 2001 and works with high and middle schools across the commonwealth to improve young driver and passenger safety.