Menu
Students pledge to Stomp Out Texting
FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- Take a trip down National Avenue and go past the Hawkins Public Safety Building. There on the front lawn by the parking lot are a wrecked pick-up truck and two banners filled with signatures representing Fort Scott High School Students who pledged to Stomp Out Texting and Driving this past week.
Two Pittsburg State University students visited FSHS this past week to educate the students on the dangers of texting while driving as part of a class. Fort Scott native Kasey Eaton and LaCygne, Kan., native Amanda Hime, both pursuing a degree in social work, were given an assignment to develop a project to help a group of people. Eaton said Hime suggested the texting while driving project, but Eaton rejected it because she was guilty of it herself.
Ultimately, they decided to take the project on in Eaton's hometown and what they got was much more than just a grade.
"It started out as just a project to get a grade on, and it has actually consumed our lives and changed us," Eaton said.
Hime echoed Eaton, saying, "I learned how serious it really is ... I used to text and drive all the time, but now I've vowed to quit because you really do put people in harm's way."
The pair organized two assemblies, one on Tuesday for the juniors and seniors, and another on Thursday for freshmen and sophomores. During those assemblies, the FSHS Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) team read some staggering statistics about distracted driving, which was followed up by a video showing a reenactment of a motor vehicle accident caused by texting while driving.
Eaton said the students were "really receptive" of the message. After the assembly, students were given an opportunity to sign a pledge banner, which is now on display in front of the police department. Students were then given bracelets as a constant reminder of their pledge.
Eaton said their project has helped spark interest and curiosity in the student body. She heard one student who had attended the Tuesday assembly say that when he got home that night he got on YouTube.com and looked for more videos.
"That right there showed me that at least they are curious about it and they want to learn more," she said.
Hime said the SAFE team was a big help in planning the assemblies. She said they were looking for ways to make it better and ensure the message was passed on to their fellow students.
"The high schoolers see them in sort of a leadership role with them jumping on board with us. I think that will help jump start it in the high school," Hime said.
Hime will be graduating in May and Eaton in December.
Both said they are interested in helping to get the message out after they graduate. In fact, Eaton said she has already been approached by a few other schools about bringing an assembly to their school.
One FSHS student from each grade won $25 for wearing their bracelet and doing their part to help eliminate texting while driving in the community. The senior winner was Chism Hoener; the junior winner was Travis Tucker; sophomore winner was Katren Rienbolt; and the freshman winner was Conner Bruce.