Michigan Teen Wins National 'Drive2Life' Contest

NEW YORK, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- A 17-year old high school student from Hudsonville, Mich. has won the third annual Drive2Life PSA Competition, sponsored by The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. and Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company. The 30-second spot, by 11th-grader Rebecca Rapin, uses humor to show the dangers of distracted driving. The ad will air nationwide during National Youth Traffic Safety Month in May. 

The idea by Rapin, a student at Careerline Tech Center in Holland, Mich., was chosen from more than 700 entries from 41 states. She won a $1,000 prize and a trip to New York, where she worked with the producers of nationally-syndicated TV series "Teen Kids News" to film and edit her winning storyboard concept.

The ad, shot from the driver's point-of-view, shows in an exaggerated way a variety of things that take the driver's hands and eyes off the road. The driver is shown trying to steer with her elbows while holding a soda and fries, sending an email, checking a map, texting and making a call, and taking a picture. We hear the sound of tires squealing and a crash. A message appears that says, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Just drive."

The PSA can be viewed at www.awptv.com/clients/NRSF/2012/FINAL/PSA

"Rebecca's idea was chosen because it clearly communicates a simple yet important message that all young people and everyone who drives must understand," said David Reich of The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF), a non-profit organization that promotes safe driving.

Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic, said, "We know from our years of working with teachers and listening to kids that they thrive when given projects connected to solving real-world problems. Bringing this conversation into the classroom is just another way to get students to talk about it and share ways to make a positive change in their community and country."

Rapin and the making of her winning PSA will be profiled in upcoming Scholastic classroom magazines, used by some 800,000 students and more than 50,000 teachers.

Four runners-up were also selected in the nationwide competition, each winning a $500 prize. Runners-up are Conor Joyce, 13, a 7th-grader at Hartford Middle School in White River Junction, VT, and Christopher Litrenta, 11, a 6th-grader at Neshannock Middle School in New Castle, PA, Michelle Tansey, 18, a senior at Bishop Denis O'Connell School in Arlington, VA and Stephanie Miller, 18, a senior at Careerline Tech Center in Holland, MI, the same school that the grand prize-winner attends.

Founded 50 years ago, NRSF produces traffic safety programs and distributes them, free of charge, to schools, police and traffic safety advocates, community groups and individuals. To download free programs, visit www.nrsf.org.

For information about Scholastic, visit http://mediaroom.scholastic.com.

Contact: David Reich, [email protected], 212-573-6000

SOURCE The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.