2006-07 Best of the Best
"Roll Right: Get R.E.A.L."
Shallowater High School
Shallowater, Texas
In a span of six weeks, eight teens died on the south plains of Texas because they were speeding and not wearing seat belts. With "Roll Right: Get R.E.A.L.," Shallowater High helped change the driving habits of Texas teens.
Their Project Ignition project targeted residents of Shallowater, across the south plains, and all throughout Texas — especially teens. Shallowater students initiated the Area 61 Teen Coalition Against Destructive Driving, comprised of 20 counties and 61 schools. The coalition meets monthly to coordinate efforts to combat bad driving choices. The team is united in its effort help teens teach teens to make the right decisions.
Beyond Best of the Best
Since winning the Best of the Best award in 2007, Shallowater High School has been working with organizations across the area to secure the future growth and success of its Area 61 Teen Coalition Against Destructive Driving.
To help ensure that growth, leadership for the Coalition has moved to a trauma group that collaborates with others like it all over Texas. Thanks to this partnership, four more counties and seven more high schools have been reached, raising the total number of high schools to 70.
Curriculum and outreach methods are also being revamped. The biggest change is that in addition to schools coming to the Coalition, Coalition officers are beginning county tours where they visit every high school in a county in one day.
The largest and most emotional project this year is one that honors two students who were killed by a drunk driver in the summer of 2006. The Coalition was approached by the Lubbock, Texas, victim's assistance unit to help fund a mobile memorial — and became the largest donor and main contributor to the project.
Through service-learning, Shallowater's automotive technology, agricultural mechanics, and industrial technology classes constructed the memorial. It includes an enclosed trailer with large windows that encase the car the two were riding in when they were hit. Three screens vividly reflect the lives of those lost and warn of the consequences of drinking and driving.
This year has provided even more fuel to propel Shallowater High School in furthering its cause to make the community, area, state, and nation a safer place.