Most of us may be aware of the program, U Got Brains, which is held by the Brain Injury Alliance. All 11th graders are involved in this program, myself included.

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 The purpose of this campaign is to bring awareness to distracted driving and its importance to avoid it. They try to bring light to the dangers of it through various ways. Not only are they doing this to bring awareness, but they will compete with various schools around New Jersey for a grand prize of 10,000 dollars.

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To maintain organization, all of the involving students were divided into three groups, those being: school, community, and social media. They know that some expenses will pop up and for that reason, they have decided to start fundraising in different ways with each group.

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The school group is in charge of all activities that will occur in or during school hours. They are hosting several events such as a school assembly and a soccer event. They wanted to incorporate not only high school students, but elementary and middle school students as well.

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Altogether they are trying to, “Raise awareness of the dangers of distracted walking, for 4th-12th grade students who walk to and from school,” as mentioned by Mrs. Mehaffey, the PE teacher at ECHS and BHS.

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They planned to go to all the schools in the Bridgeton district and create several activities that would be involved with distracted driving. After, they would present a poster contest. For the contest, kids grades 4th through 8th would create a poster with two facts about pedestrian safety and create an image (which must be hand-drawn) demonstrating pedestrian safety. At the end, three winners would be chosen and given prizes.

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They also planned a soccer event, in which the ECHS students and the high school students would go up against each other. Anyone would be able to attend, with a $5 entry fee. At the event, shirts designed by the students will be sold there. State farm who is our sponsor would also be there. The purpose of hosting this event was to be able to fundraise money to use for later expenses.

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Due to the closing of school, all the activities planned would have to be postponed for future dates.  

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The community group would be focused on any activities held for the community. They have been working on setting various events outside school hours that would bring awareness to the distracted driving. They held a concession stand at the Laurel Mini-Market to raise fundraising.

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Our social media group runs and is focusing on publishing on our Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages. On Twitter and Instagram, they have post to educate, bring awareness, and to promote events that will occur.

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 On YouTube, they have several posts up online, one being our introduction and purpose. In the video, a person from each group (school, community, and social media) speaks about their intentions. Since our main target are Hispanics, they have recorded a video in both Spanish and English. They also have our soccer event announcement, which is a video with students participating in the event along with our principal, Mr. Dolente.  

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Over time, they will develop different activities and strategies that will better our chance at winning the grand prize. The 11th graders will be going to Six Flags on May 21th where they will do a presentation on all their work.

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As mentioned by Mrs. Mehaffey, our purpose is to, “Bring awareness, to high school students, of the dangers and risks associated with distracted driving, specifically texting and driving.” Not only that but to also to, “Bring awareness, in Spanish, to Bridgeton’s large Hispanic community, to address issues involving distracted driving and walking, along with drinking and driving.”