Teen Advisory Board
Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) is the nation’s first peer-to-peer safety program for young drivers, involving teenagers directly in developing and delivering driving safety messages. The goal of TDS is to raise awareness of the top driving dangers for teens and prevent crashes involving young drivers. The program empowers teens to spread the word among their peers about deadly driving risks and encourage them to make smart choices while behind the wheel and as passengers. TDS is committed to fighting the number-one killer of teenagers in America, but it can only succeed with the involvement and commitment of young people who are represented by the TDS Teen Advisory Board.
The Teen Advisory Board members for the 2010-2011 term have been selected.
TAB members will:
- Provide insight on how to engage their peers and sustain their interest in Teens in the Driver Seat.
- Assist in organizing program-oriented events and activities.
- Provide feedback, ideas and opinions on new program materials, safety messages, promotional items and related elements.
- Participate in monthly meetings.
- Serve as ambassadors and leaders for Teens in the Driver Seat.
So who are the members?
Caleb Conrady, Windthorst High School, Windthorst, Texas
Caleb is the vice president of 4-H. Last year, he was the Treasurer of the freshman student council. He is also part of the Community Service Leaders at Windthorst High School. Caleb is in FFA, the high school band, and mentors underclassmen. He has shadowed veterinarians as part of a 500 hour requirement in a 4-H Vet Science program. Last summer, he also assisted a local vet with a vaccination clinic for the community. He has participated in both mission trips and Vacation Bible School at his church. Caleb has two friends who have been involved in an automobile accident and he knows that it is very important to pass on the TDS message.
Caleb describes himself as energetic, friendly, confident, smart and zealous.
Danielle De La Paz, Loretto High School, El Paso, TX
Danielle is the Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) school coordinator at Loretto High School. She is a peer educator for the University Medical Center of El Paso’s Teen Advisory Board, is on the Youth Leadership Team for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, is a part of the Mayor’s Top 100 Teens, a member of the Hope Club at Loretto High School, and active in Feed the Homeless. Danielle knows that teens listen to other teens, and she wants to be a member of a program that empowers teens to make smarter choices when driving.
Danielle describes herself as being creative, confident, persistent, and having a positive attitude and a passion for helping others.
Ari Diaz, Clint High School, Clint, TX
Ari is a member of the Clint Chapter of the National Honor Society, a varsity cheerleader and a model for Laura’s Productions in El Paso, Texas. She is very active in her church community of San Lorenzo Catholic Church. She teaches catechism to first year students between the ages of 7-9 preparing to take their first holy communion. She also participates in the preparation and delivery of youth retreats within her church community. Ari said, “Promoting safety among young drivers in my community will be my goal.”
Ari describes herself as being reliable, trustworthy, outgoing, intelligent and confident.
Gabby Franco, Mission Early College High School, El Paso, TX
Gabby is the student council vice-president and junior class president at Mission Early College High School. She has been to the TDS presentation at her school, and does community service every month as part of El Paso’s Mayor’s Top 100 Teens. Gabby feels that she can make a true difference in informing students and the community about teen driving safety by giving her and her school’s point of view on teen driver safety.
Gabby describes herself as being a leader, outgoing, achieving, motivated and involved.
Danny Frias, Irvin High School, El Paso, TX
Danny is the student council chairmen at Irvin High School, and is responsible for all the D.A.S.H duties on their campus, such as TDS night, TDS do you know the law, and blood drives. He is on both the wrestling and football teams. Danny is part of the junior class committee. He is in MHS and maintains an A average. As the D.A.S.H. chairman, he works with TDS throughout the year, and promotes TDS on his campus.
Danny describes himself as hardworking, determined, reliable, responsible and motivated.
Ana Garcia, Richland Collegiate High School, Garland, TX
Ana is very involved in her community and has more than 100 hours of community service. She says she truly enjoys helping her community of Garland. She is a member of the Garland Youth Council, and at Richland Collegiate High School she is part of Leadership Richland. Ana participated in the Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Expo held in Garland, and was also part of a Public Service Announcement for TDS.
Ana describes herself as determined, persistent, responsible, curious and joyful.
Cori Hash, Archer City High School, Archer City, TX
Cori is the parliamentarian and reporter for the Archer City High School Student Council, she is also a squad leader in the ACHS Wildcat Band. She is the Youth Club President of the Pony of the Americas Club, and this is her second year to be the 4-H Club President. She is active in her church youth group, and has been a part of many community service projects, and is an ACHS PAL. Cori was also a member and co-chair of the 2009-2010 Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Teen Advisory Board (TAB).
Cori describes herself as being a leader, dependable, caring, trustworthy and outgoing.
Courtney Kirkland, Brackett High School, Brackettville, TX
Courtney has a lot of experience with computers and is an avid reader. Courtney’s mother owns a newspaper, and Courtney helps with advertisements and sales. Courtney said, “I think my experience with newspapers and the like will help with the visual advertisement of the program; what will make the students want to look into the program, how to get the message across, and what will draw their attention.”
Courtney describes herself as being spontaneous.
Tori Morris, Cooper High School, Cooper, TX
Tori is the president of the FCCLA chapter at Cooper High School. She is chairman of the Breast Cancer Week and Red Ribbon Week, and she volunteers at the local library to help read to the kids. Tori serves the local lions club every 2 weeks and is a State FCCLA Officer for the 2010-11 school year. She reads to elementary school students at least once a month, is Vice President of her class, is a part of the American and Spanish National Honor, is captain of the Mighty Maroon Marching Band Color guard, and is the Varsity Basketball Manager. Tori has been doing Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) activities for the past 2 years at her school and is the chairman of TDS week in April 2010.
Tori describes herself as creative, intelligent, energetic, dedicated and responsible.
Jose Parga, Americas High School, El Paso, TX
Jose is the DASH Chair for Student Council. He says his main focus is Alcohol Awareness since it is the biggest problem in his community. He has worked on the “Keep your hands on the wheel, not on your phone” project, and the “Don’t be an AIRHEAD, wear your Seat belt” project. Jose attended the TDS Conference in El Paso and has restarted the TDS program in his school. His goal is to implement TDS across his school and hopefully next year to the feeder schools as well.
Jose describes himself as unique, genuine, confident, loyal and courageous.
Scott Pofahl, Bandera High School, Bandera, TX
Scott raises money for organizations, by participating in a Kiwanis Fish Fry as well as the Kiwanis annual pancake breakfast. He ran the prize booth of an elementary school carnival. He also presents the morning school announcement as well as hosts school pep rallies. Scott is also an active member and President of the BMS Builders Club. He also created two driving awareness Pep Rally skits, and started a TDS awareness Christmas carol contest and included new hits such as “Buckle your belt!” and “Dashing down the icy road, with a bottle in my hand.”
Scott describes himself as being a leader, political, involved, passionate and inspired.
Heath Richey, Bronte High School, Bronte, TX
Heath has been involved in a number of organizations including, the National Federation of High School Students Park Clean Up, Special Olympics, Relay for Life-American Cancer Society volunteer, the Lions Club trash pick up, Student Council, UIL math, science, and computer applications. Heath is an FFA officer, president of his class, has been on honor roll all through high school, plays varsity basketball and tennis, and is a member of the Bronte Junior Chamber of Commerce. Heath has promoted safe driving with the TDS program, by creating videos to show to elementary & high school students to help inform them on the dangers of driving. In his small high school over the past 5 years, his community has had 3 deaths and one severe injury leaving a student “brain dead.” Heath wants to make a difference by educating students of the dangers of driving and help save one more teen.
Heath describes himself as being a leader, hard-worker, competitor, intelligent and dependable.
Fernando Sosa, United High School, Laredo, TX
Fernando is serving his third term as Class President and first term as Crime Stoppers President. He is completing his third year as a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory. Fernando assisted the Texas A&M International University TexPrep summer program, has been a volunteer at his school library, is a part of the LULAC Chapter at his school, and has assisted in non-profit organizations such as March of Dimes. He is also a National Honor Society member, founder of his school’s Environmental Club, and volunteer at school parent meetings and projects such as the State’s Operation Lone Star. Fernando has also involved in broadcasting, UIL Journalism, and formerly Informative Speaking, and was a co-editor of my school’s newspaper club. Fernando was a member of the 2009-2010 Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Teen Advisory Board (TAB).
Fernando describes himself as committed, loyal, compassionate, involved and determined.
Ashley Thompson, Keller High School, Keller, TX
Ashley has volunteered for many organizations, but her volunteer work at hospitals is why she wants to be in involved with Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS). She is also volunteers at the teen court, and is in charge of the DASH committee at Keller High School. Ashley was a member of the 2009-2010 Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Teen Advisory Board (TAB).
Ashley describes herself as a leader, diligent, goal-oriented, responsible and caring.