Name: Joycelyne Fadojutimi
Date registered: July 7, 2012
AT&T, school, elected officials, law enforcement and concerned citizens say no to texting and driving
Story by joycelyne fadojutimi
Fatalities while texting and driving is becoming a serious problem. No-one has to die or injure other road users because they are texting and driving consequently, AT&T has launched ‘It Can Wait’ campaign.
AT&T’s ‘It Can Wait’ campaign focuses on educating the public on
the dangers of texting and driving while reminding all wireless consumers, especially youth, that text messages can and should wait until after driving. Another goal of the campaign is for others to make a lifelong commitment to never text and drive.
During a press conference held in the foyer of Mickey Melton Performing Arts Center atLongviewHigh School, Longview ISD superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said, “There is nothing more precious than the kids. No message is that important to text and drive at the same time.”
According to Wilcox, teens think they are invisible and will be here for eternity. “We want them not to text as they drive and we are joining forces with AT&T to send this message to our precious students.”
LISD assistant superintendent for community relations, Ms. Andrea Mayo echoed the same sentiments. “We are delighted to host this press conference. We value every life.”
Longview Mayor Jay Dean besides issuing a proclamation cited adults as the other culprits in texting and driving. “Our kids are not the only ones who are guilty, we are all guilty so let all of us stop texting while driving.”
Dean reminded the audience that one little second of inattention on the road is recipe for accidents. In addition, texting while driving is hazardous for public safety.
Moreover, James Skeeler, assistant superintendent of Pine Tree ISD said his district will incorporate AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign into their curriculum. “Students are our number one priority,” Skeeler said. “Pine Tree ISD commends AT&T and the city ofLongviewfor bringing this awareness to our young people.”
Wes Jones, Spring Hill ISD superintendent could not agree more. “We applaud AT&T and the City ofLongviewfor this campaign,” he said. “As a former driver’s education instructor, texting and driving is a scary thought. This campaign is very much needed for our students.”
To boot, Dr. Dale Lunsford, president ofLetourneauUniversitysaid it is good to remind university students as well of the dangers of texting while driving. Students tend to think they are talented and multitasking but no-one is that talented. “Students must think twice before texting while driving.”
Kasha Williams, City Councilwoman District 3 said, “We are delighted to participate in this nation-wide campaign.”
To boot, Candice Gast AT&T external affairs director for northeastTexassaid, “I am so overwhelmed with the incredible support. It is wonderful that you want to make your community safe with the AT&T “It Can Wait” campaign.”
As indicated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) estimate that nearly eighty percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some form of driver inattention.
For more information visit: http://www.att.com/Common/about_us
Trevor Bergman, LIMBS Exec. Dir. demonstrates how a limb works, Hudson Pep students look on.
Gets raving reviews, dubbed “Super Hero.”
Story and photos by Joycelyne Fadojutimi, joycelyne@easttexasreview.com
Hudson Pep has earned the accolade of “Super Hero,” from LIMBS International. The students made several sacrifices including donating funds for their pizza party so amputees in third world countries can have limbs. Yes! LIMBS that most people inAmericatake for granted because they have them. However, Hudson Pep students understood that limbs can be a rare commodity. Moreover, having limbs does make a great difference in life.
LIMBS International is an organization that transforms the lives of amputees in developing countries by restoring their ability to walk and work. They design, create, and test new prosthetic devices in theirU.S.research labs as well as clinics throughout the developing countries at a very low cost. Through this provision, LIMBS International breaks the chain of dependency and abject poverty for amputees in developing countries.
But that is not all. LIMBS International visited school principals and provided classroom teachers with subject specific lesson plans that incorporate the impact of LIMBS International. They visited Longview ISD schools and shared their project with them.
According to Sue Wilson, principal of Hudson Pep, her students after listening to the LIMBS presentation, they applied the knowledge in Mathematics, Social Studies and Writing. Furthermore the students moved beyond analysis and synthesized the project –started thinking of how they can make a difference.
The character traits learned in Hudson Pep include altruism and this was an opportunity to put it into practice hence Ms. Alison Campbell 4th grade class single handedly raised $1,100 for LIMBS. Hudson Pep out raised every Longview ISD campus includingLongview high school. Hudson Pep raised a total of $4,000 earning them a SUPER HERO for LIMBS International.
LIMBS International formerly known as LEGS (LeTourneau Engineering Global Solutions) started in 2004 with Dr. Roger Gonzalez andLetourneauUniversitysenior biomedical engineering students who designed and constructed a low-cost knee. The project has grown into an international organization equipping and changing the lives of amputees all over the world.
Congratulations Principal Sue Wilson and Hudson Pep. Super Heroes.
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