Project Ignition 2005-2006 Wraps Up at NSLC

By Evan Dalgaard, NYLC Youth Advisory Council

State Farm and NYLC’s Project Ignition capped off its second year with The Project Ignition Awards Ceremony and Club Ignition Dance Party, March 24 at The 17th Annual National Service-Learning Conference. The ballroom of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown was packed, as people filed in to learn who would be named the Best of the Best in the service-learning teen-driver-safety contest, earning their school a $10,000 grant from State Farm.

In December 2005, 25 semifinalists were chosen from across the United States, each receiving a $2,000 grant to fund their project. In January, the top 10 were chosen and received another $5,000 to attend the conference in Philadelphia, where they shared their project and experiences through Exhibit Hall displays, workshops, and presentations at the awards ceremony.

This year’s Best of the Best top-prize winner was the team of 43 students from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School in Gibson City, Ill. Their project, Shattered Dreams, was sparked when twin brothers from the school were in a car crash, one killed and the other severely injured. Their project focused on seatbelt use and safe driving. The students created Safe Driving DVDs and public service announcements that were shown in school and throughout the community. Publicity and media attention grew through local TV, newspaper, and radio coverage, creating greater awareness than even the students had anticipated.

"Even though they said we were the Best of the Best, every one of you gave so much to this project," said a Gibson City student accepting the award. "I think you all deserve a round of applause."

The Winners

Best of the Best & Best Use of Music

Shattered Dreams
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School, Gibson City, Ill.

Best Grassroots Campaign

Think Smart

Tekoa (Wash.) High School

Best Innovative Element

Drive to Save Lives

Topeka (Kan.) Seaman High School

Best Action Sequence/Interactive Element

Gone in Seconds

Shallowater (Texas) High School

Best Use of a Logo or Slogan

Project Go

Chagrin Falls (Ohio) High School

The Finalists

Make It Click

Northeast High School, Oakland Park, Fla.

Operation Think!

Fleming High School, Flemingsburg, Ky.

Building Awareness Taking Action

Carson City (Nev.) High School

It’s Your Choice: Drink and Drive … Live or Die

Medina Valley (Texas) High School

Drive Safe and Click It!

Slinger (Wis.) High School