Real-Life Tragedy Inspires Storyline for Safe Driving PSA
ERIE, Pa., June 26 -- The students at Waynesburg Central High School want you to know that Sharon Ankrom is a real person. She had a family, friends and a job as a secretary at their school. Until -- she was killed by a drunk driver last year.
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Members of the Erie Insurance Group Lookin' Out teen driving program committee at the school are using the tragic experience of Sharon's death to send a strong message to other drivers. Their point is simple but powerful: drinking and driving kills people and affects real families. The students recently crafted this message into a public service announcement (PSA). The PSA will begin airing on television stations across the state this fall.
Mark McCurdy, TV workshop teacher and co-faculty advisor for Waynesburg's Lookin' Out program said the real-life circumstances surrounding the PSA provide a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving. "Sharon's accident is difficult for the students to discuss, but they knew others could learn from this experience and their concept sends a powerful message. We are so proud of the students for the work they are doing to educate people about the dangers of drinking and driving." Chris McCabe, a driver's education teacher at the school is also a co-faculty advisor of the Waynesburg Lookin' Out Program.
The concept for the PSA was selected from a group of nominees submitted by high schools across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland participating in the Erie Insurance Group Lookin' Out program during the 2005-06 academic year. Each participating school was invited to submit an entry for the PSA contest. The winner was selected based on a variety of criteria, including the clarity and relevance of the message and potential for the message to build awareness and positively impact teen driving behavior.
The winning PSA was directed and produced by ERIE's media services employees with the support and cooperation of the Waynesburg Central Lookin' Out Committee. Dawn Ankrom and Lauren Becker are two Waynesburg Central students who helped to create the storyline of the winning submission. The story was inspired by the loss of Dawn's mother, Sharon, who was a secretary at the school and friend to many of the students.
"This PSA offers a unique, real-life perspective of how one person's carelessness can impact so many people," said Erie Insurance Agent Brenda Yingling of Yingling Insurance in Waynesburg. Brenda serves as a liaison to the school's Lookin' Out program and has worked with the students throughout the school year. "It has been an honor and privilege for me to work with these students," she added. "There are countless life-threatening distractions young drivers face on a daily basis. This program is helping to drive home safety messages about the dangers on the road."
Jeffrey A. Ludrof, president and chief executive officer of Erie Insurance Group is pleased that another student-directed public service announcement is available for broadcast. "The public service announcements are a wonderful example of collaboration between Erie Insurance Group, our ERIE Agents and high schools in our markets," Mr. Ludrof said. "The Lookin' Out student committees have become passionate about promoting safe driving and ERIE is glad to provide them with some of the resources to carry on that mission."
To obtain a copy of the "Memories" PSA, contact Erie Insurance at 1-800-458-0811 ext. 7154 or by e-mail at matthew.bresee@erieinsurance.com
The Lookin' Out teen driving program was created by Erie Insurance to address the number one killer of teens -- auto accidents. Lookin' Out seeks to educate young drivers and save lives. The program uses positive peer reinforcement through messages created by students for their friends.
Lookin' Out schools operate their program through a student-based committee, co-chaired by an ERIE Agent and a school faculty advisor. Each school tailors the program to address what the students feel are the most pressing driving issues at their school. To engage all students, the Lookin' Out committees plan a number of activities throughout the year to show students the dangers of reckless driving. The activities include driving in the PA DUI Lookin' Out Safety Bug (which simulates driving under the influence), poster contests, speakers, mock crashes, and "Grim Reaper" days, among others.
Participating schools are eligible for a grant of up to $2,000 funded by Erie Insurance Group for implementing the Lookin' Out program. About 40 high schools from 6 states participated in Lookin' Out during the 2005-2006 school year.
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 14th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 22nd largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has almost 3.8 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group ranked 421 on the FORTUNE 500 and Erie Indemnity Company is included in Forbes Magazine's PLATINUM 400 list of the best-managed companies in America. For more information visit the company's web site at www.erieinsurance.com.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: The following are available for interviews: Dawn Ankrom (daughter), Mark McCurdy (TV workshop teacher and co-faculty advisor for Waynesburg's Lookin' Out program), Erie Insurance Agent Brenda Yingling (Yingling Insurance in Waynesburg. Brenda serves as a liaison to the school's Lookin' Out program) as well as a number of representatives from Erie Insurance. Contact Amy VanScoter, Corporate Communications, 1-800-458-0811 ext. 7568 to set up an interview.