Sean Gregory of Girard is one of several second year instructors of 4-H's program, CARTEENS / Drive to Survive traffic safety program for juvenile drivers.
Gregory, along with another teen Thomas Shay of Newton Falls, both second year CARTEEN instructors, were awarded gas cards and a $200 scholarship for any post-high school education program in recognition of their attendance in the program.
The program, a partnership between the Trumbull County 4-H CARTEENS program, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Kent State University Trumbull, and Trumbull County Family Court, recently celebrated its third year.
Trumbull County Family Court sends first time juvenile traffic offenders to the CARTEENS / Drive to Survive class. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Trumbull 4-H CARTEENS work together to provide a three-hour traffic safety program held at the campus.
Instructors are teen drivers who volunteer their time to facilitate hands-on and interactive activities focused on proper use of a seatbelt, drunk driving, understanding traffic citations, and soon to include distracted driving. The Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers provide content instruction on overall traffic safety, and the program utilizes guest speakers who focus on making smart choices. Kent State University Trumbull campus completes the partnership by providing a location for the program.
In Trumbull County, the program is coordinated by Michelle Adkins, Ohio State University Extension Educator.
"Nearly four years ago we saw an opportunity to partner with Trumbull County Family Court and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on their traffic safety program and it has been a wonderful partnership," Adkins said. "Utilizing teens to help teach traffic safety is a win-win for everyone. The students get to hear from their peers about basic traffic safety and our teen instructors get a chance to improve their leadership and communication skills, and working with the juvenile court and the Ohio State Highway Patrol has been a wonderful marriage of talents and resources to benefit Trumbull County drivers."
The CARTEENS instructors and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were honored Nov. 20 for their involvement.
Recognized partners and volunteers during the recognition ceremony were: first-year instructors Amber McMinn of Cortland and Rachel Lane of Leavittsburg; second-year instructors: Sean Gregory of Girard, Jacob Schafer of Warren, Thomas Shay of Newton Falls, Trooper Merz and Delgenio of the Ohio State Patrol; and CARTEENS 4-H adviser Matt Hartman and James MacSkimming.
For more information about the program, contact the OSU Extension Office at 330-638-6783.