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Project Ignition Names Top Ten High Schools Leading Change in Teen Driver Behavior


teen driver (select to view enlarged photo)

ST. PAUL, MN--June 5, 2013: Ten high schools across the United States have made this year's top ten list of schools that are changing teen driving behavior. These schools were selected by Project Ignition -- a service-learning teen driver safety program sponsored by State Farm and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council -- based on criteria including student participation, campaign results, and connection to classroom learning objectives.

Twenty-five schools received an initial $2,000 investment from Project Ignition in January, each seeking to reduce risky driving attitudes and behaviors in their community. For their successful efforts, ten of these schools will receive continued funding of $2,500 in the coming school year to expand upon their campaigns. In addition, each will receive $5,000 to participate in the 25th Annual National Service-Learning Conference, hosted by NYLC, on April 9 -- 12, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

The Project Ignition Top Ten Teen Driver Safety Campaigns:

  • Central Linn High School, Halsey, OR
  • E. A. Laney High School, Wilmington, NC
  • The Early Middle College at Bennett, Greensboro, NC
  • East Central High School, Brookville, IN
  • Freehold Township High School, Freehold, NJ
  • Har-Ber High School, Springdale, AR
  • Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, MI
  • Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
  • Pasco High School, Pasco, WA
  • Sheldon Community Schools, Sheldon, IA

NYLC believes that youth leadership is a critical component to effectively changing teen driving behaviors and saving lives. "The statistic that teens are the most vulnerable to car accidents is very real and preventative measures need to be taken. Project Ignition gives these teens the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in a real world issue directly through service-learning -- an educational strategy which has been proven to increase academic and community engagement among students," said Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO. "In partnership with State Farm, we continue to look for ways to recognize the amazing accomplishments by young people through Project Ignition and all of NYLC's programs."

These campaigns serve as models for other schools looking to apply for a Project Ignition grant in the 2013-2014 school year. More details about the grant opportunity will be available in August, 2013.

For more information about Project Ignition, visit Project Ignition .