SIKESTON – The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety recently awarded grant funding to local schools that will hold student lock-in events for Project Prom or High School Graduation. Schools will receive $200 each to assist with event expenses such as location rental, food or entertainment. Event must include a presentation or activity educating students on highway safety issues within their night’s agenda to qualify for the grant.
“These supervised events provide a safe, fun environment for students to celebrate their special event with friends,” said Southeast District Traffic Engineer Craig Compas. “Lives can be changed in seconds by a bad decision like drinking and driving. We want these special events and milestones to be filled with good memories and unmarred by tragedy.”
Compas explained that many substance-impaired drivers are under the age of 21.
Thirty-five high schools from 22 counties in southeast and south-central Missouri received the grant. Recipients include: Arcadia Valley, Ava, Bakersfield, Bernie, Campbell, Charleston, Clearwater, Dexter, Doniphan, Eagle Ridge Christian School, East Carter County R-2, East Prairie, Eminence, Farmington, Gideon, Hayti, Jackson, Kelly, Koshkonong, Leopold, Lutie, Mansfield, Mountain Grove, Naylor, Norwood, Notre Dame, Perryville, Plato, Portageville, Risco, Ste. Genevieve, Summersville, Thayer, Viburnum and Willow Springs. Schools will also be receiving roadway safety educational items to share with students.
For additional information, contact Southeast Coalition Representative Ashley Metelski at (573) 472-5885 or MoDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT
(888-275-6636), or visit the Southeast Coalition’s website at: www.savemolives.com/se
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