Project Ignition Students Partner for Impact

October 25, 2011

by Braiden Skinner
Fieldcrest High School Student
Minonk, Ill.

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of essays from Project Ignition students. Inspired? Get involved in Project Ignition by applying for a $2,000 grant, due November 15, to address teen driver safety through service-learning. Visit www.sfprojectignition.com. Project Ignition is coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council® and funded by State Farm®.

Fieldcrest High School joined Project Ignition in January of this year when we received an initial $2,000 grant. In that short time, I believe that we have had a monumental impact on the small farming communities that comprise our school district in central Illinois.

We started small by focusing our campaign on the dangers of speeding. After conducting research and gathering data about areas where speeding was an issue, we recognized that in order to make change we needed to enlist the help of many community partners:  

  • We presented “Safety Zone” proposals to each city council, to address the dangerous areas we identified through research. Our plan worked even better than expected in Wenona. After our presentation, a councilman was inspired to find a portable speed trailer for the community. Our group was invited back and through this partnership, data is now being collected that proves drivers are slowing down when they drive through the Wenona community.
  • We partnered with the local Boy Scouts Troop. We were honored guests at their Blue and Gold Banquet where we presented a program to the Scouts and then awarded them road safety badges. We plan to continue this partnership in order to help young people become better drivers when they become of age. We believe we are also reaching parents this way.
  • We also presented a program to the local Rotary. We gave an informational session on how the speed trailer has impacted our community. They congratulated us on our efforts to make local communities safer and also presented us with a donation to support our future efforts.  

Because of the success of these and other aspects of our work, Fieldcrest High School was named a Project Ignition National Leader School and was asked to expand our campaign throughout this school year. We have added a focus on the dangers of texting while driving. One aspect of our campaign is a portable pledge wall and we are proud to report that we have collected more than 2,000 commitments from people who have pledged never to text and drive.

Because of the local success we have seen, we want to extend our messages across the nation and encourage other schools to get involved with Project Ignition. I hope that your school does consider applying—for both the benefit of your school, its students and your entire community.