Ridgevue, Nezperce students
win Battle of the Belts challenge

Seatbelts save lives, but sometimes getting people to buckle up can be a challenge. That is why the Office of Highway Safety is enlisting the help of high school students across the state through the 2019 Battle of the Belts. The campaign is part of an effort to promote and encourage seatbelt use by asking students to create public-service campaigns about belt usage among their peers.

Between 2013 and 2017, 55 percent of teens killed in crashes were not wearing seatbelts.

The campaigns were judged on several criteria, including creativity and effectiveness, with prizes going to the winning students and schools. Prizes for winners were provided by State Farm Insurance, and included grants for the winning schools and scholarships for individual winners.

"Keeping all drivers safe on our roadways is a proud part of the State Farm heritage and what we strive for in our communities. Through a 2019 Good Neighbor Citizenship grant, State Farm is honored to support the Battle of The Belts with a scholarship to Olivia Tolman," says Ken Wells, State Farm Agent.

Winning Schools:
Nezperce Jr./Sr. High School, award $1,500
Ridgevue High School (Nampa, ID), award $1,000
Kimberly High School, award $500
Jerome High School, award $300

Scholarship Winners:
Olivia Tolman (Ridgevue High School), award $2,000
Madison Garner (Ridgevue High School), award $1,500
Courtney Kearsley (Ridgevue High School), award $1,000
Grace Gjaltema-Capps (Jerome High School), award $700

Published 06-14-19