Florida Catholic | Think Don't Drink

Catholic High students echo: ‘Think! Don’t Drink!’

AMY M. FERRARA | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 10.05.07

PENSACOLA | Students at Pensacola Catholic High School took the initiative to educate their peers about the dangers of drunk driving.

Last spring, Catholic High’s Students Against Drunk Driving club entered Project Ignition, a competition that recognizes student ideas to encourage safe driving. It is sponsored by State Farm Insurance Co. and National Youth Leadership Council. Recently, Catholic High’s SADD learned it is one of 25 semifinalists in the nation and one of two projects in the state to receive this honor.

"It’s a great program to help kids stay away from drugs, drinking and to avoid bad decisions," said eleventh-grader Codi Carpenter.

At a Sept. 12 news conference in Catholic High’s Brent Library and Media Center, State Farm presented SADD with a $2,000 grant.

"We’re proud to support our local Pensacola Catholic teens who will be reaching out to their peers to try to reduce drunk driving," said Justin Glover, public affairs specialist.

The club will use the grant to conduct two surveys about teenage views on drinking and driving. It will also use the money to produce four commercials to promote safe teenage driving.

"There are four commercials we’re working on," explained Rachel Gates, Catholic High senior and student leader of Project Ignition, "and several little projects with homecoming season." Gates pointed to the words on her T-shirt: Think! Don’t Drink! "We’re trying to promote the slogan to the school."

In December, SADD will present the commercials and surveys to State Farm and the Youth Council. If it becomes one of the top 10 finalists, the club will receive $5,000 and attend the National Youth Leadership Conference in Minnesota.

There, the top project will be chosen and a check of $10,000 will accompany the honor. State Farm will incorporate the club’s commercial in the national ad campaign.

Junior student and SADD member Korisma Epps assured, “I’m proud to say, ‘Think and don’t drink.’”

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Catholic High students echo: ‘Think! Don’t Drink!’

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