LaMoure, N.D. (LPS) – LaMoure Public School is set to receive a substantial $1,000 educational grant from Impact Teen Drivers following its honorable mention in the Spring 2024 Create Real Impact Contest. This award recognizes the school’s dedication to promoting safe driving and riding and will significantly enhance the students ongoing initiatives.
In their award-winning social media campaign video, Vision Zero Excuses, LaMoure illustrated the collective effort of students, school staff, local law enforcement officers, and other community members. The campaign effectively highlighted the role of community involvement in combating reckless and distracted driving. Throughout the campaign month, students led numerous initiatives, including the production of public service announcements, content for social media, announcements during sporting events, and school and community presentations designed to increase awareness of preventable car crashes caused by reckless and distracted driving. Their work exemplifies a strong commitment to making a tangible impact on traffic safety.
The LaMoure School Vision Zero Leadership Team is made up of students who either have a parent who is a fireman, EMS personnel, or law enforcement official or if they are a volunteer with the ambulance service. LaMoure School Vision Zero Leadership Team members include Bailie Kelley, Owen Lesko, Jakody Lewis, Kelsi Alber, Jarin Ragan, Avery Kramer, Austin Laney, Tucker Jones, Addie Robbins, Kianna Weight, Karyssa Meidinger, Gunner Thielges, Colby Thielges, Cole Just, Preston Arndt, Onika Lesko and Luke Wagner. Advisors are LaMoure Police Chief Dominic Hanson and Kelli Just, Squad Leader of Community Volunteer EMS of LaMoure. Their Vision Zero Outreach Coordinator is Leah Kelm.
Dr. Kelly Browning, Executive Director of Impact Teen Drivers, expressed her admiration: “We are incredibly proud of the dedication LaMoure Public School students have shown in promoting safety in their school and community. Their efforts serve as an inspiration to us all.”
The Create Real Impact Contest is an annual initiative by Impact Teen Drivers, a national nonprofit committed to transforming driving culture into one that is free of distractions. The organization promotes evidence-based education and strategies to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by reckless and distracted driving. The contest encourages high schools, classrooms, and student groups across the United States to develop creative solutions to address the critical issue of distracted driving.
Brock Dietrich, a member of the Impact Teen Drivers Board and a parent who lost a daughter to a preventable crash, shared his thoughts on the contest’s significance: “As a father profoundly impacted by a preventable tragedy, I am deeply grateful for the remarkable efforts of these students. Their dedication to driving change in our communities is both personal and inspiring.”
