New Hope-Solebury High School Wins Bucks County Seatbelt Challenge

New Hope-Solebury High School has been named the overall winner of the 18th Annual Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge.

The school achieved the highest overall seatbelt use among student drivers at 98%, surpassing 20 other participating Bucks County high schools.

This year’s award marks the sixth win in the competition.

New Hope-Solebury High School was presented with a $500 cash grant and a perpetual trophy plaque at a school assembly on Monday.

The cash prize, which was donated by TMA Bucks, is encouraged to be used for safety-related initiatives at the school.

“Congratulations to New-Hope Solebury students for their remarkable achievement in winning the Seatbelt Challenge in back-to-back school years,” said Stephen J. Noll, executive director of TMA Bucks. “Through creativity, commitment, and consistent effort, this school has become a great example of how to turn safety into success – earning multiple wins in our Seatbelt Challenge over the years and proving that smart habits save lives.”

Student government leaders Skylar High, Max Wright, Kaylee Fennell, Dillon DeMao, Joe Rickard, Ava Cozza, Laura Genovay and John Nettles, under the direction of teacher Jon Gonsiewski, spearheaded the seatbelt promotion efforts throughout the school year. Their activities included distributing “LifeSavers” mints to buckled-up drivers during dismissal.

Principal Patrick Sasse commended the students’ dedication to safety.

“I know I speak for our school staff and community when I share how proud we are of our students for winning the Seatbelt Challenge which represents safe choices and protecting ourselves and others,” said Sasse. “Congratulations to the New Hope-Solebury students for prioritizing driving safely and spreading that message among their peers so consistently for so many years. Buckle up, Lions!”

Additionally, teacher Drew Giorgi’s video productions students at New Hope-Solebury High School contributed to the challenge by creating a public service announcement video for the Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge, which was screened for all students.

Upper Bucks Technical High School also received a cash grant and plaque for achieving the greatest percentage increase in seatbelt use among all schools, rising four percent from 92% in the fall to 96% in the spring. The Law Enforcement Program students, directed by Safety Officer David Gale, were instrumental in their success.

The Seatbelt Safety Challenge involved baseline seatbelt usage surveys conducted at high schools in fall without prior notice to ensure accurate data. Participating schools were then tasked with promoting increased seatbelt usage through various creative methods throughout the academic year. Unannounced follow-up surveys were conducted in April and May to determine the winners.

The 18th Annual Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge was presented by NJM Insurance Group, with supporting sponsorships from AAA Mid-Atlantic, Automotive Training Center, Bucks County Community College, Jefferson Bucks Hospital, Bowman, Stark & Stark and Visit Bucks County.

“The TMA Bucks Seatbelt Challenge is critical in spreading awareness that wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself on the road,” said Erica Rosso, NJM Consumer Safety Partnership and Program Supervisor. “NJM is proud to continue our partnership with TMA Bucks to promote safe driving habits and we congratulate this year’s winners.”

In a separate announcement, TMA Bucks also named Palisades High School as the winner of this year’s Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge, which was powered by Comcast.

TMA Bucks is a non-profit transportation management association.

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