LAS VEGAS – Sam & Ash Injury Law, in partnership with Clark County School District (CCSD), Nevada’s Zero Fatalities, and Findlay Volkswagen Henderson, announced the winners of the “Sam & Ash Safe Teen Driving Essay Contest” today. The campaign, launched in October 2024 for National Teen Driver Safety Week, aimed to raise awareness of teen driving safety by encouraging students to submit essays on “What Safe Driving Means to Me.” Over 400 essays were submitted.
“Teens are one of the most vulnerable groups on the road,” said Sam Mirejovsky, partner at Sam & Ash Injury Law. “Teen drivers, aged 16-19, face a significantly higher crash risk, which is why we created this contest to empower students to reflect on the importance of responsible driving.”
The grand prize of a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta 1.5T Sport was awarded to Andrea Vinluan from West Career and Technical Academy at a live event on March 7. Andrea’s essay stood out for its blend of insight and humor, and she impressed the judges with her thoughtful approach to safe driving.
“Andrea is an exceptional student with a 4.96 GPA,” said Ash Watkins, partner at Sam & Ash Injury Law. “She has a strong understanding of what it means to be a responsible driver and a great role model for her peers. This new car will give her the independence she needs to safely get to school.”
“I’m beyond excited!” said Andrea. “When I wrote my essay, I focused on my family and how important safe driving is to get home every night. This car will be a big help to my family.”
Other contest winners include:
- First Prize – $2,500 Scholarship: Jonathan Dayton, Foothill High School
- Second Prize – $1,500 Scholarship: Shianne Okervall-Guiterrez, College of Southern Nevada High School, West Campus
- Third Prize – $500 Cash: Leslie Denton, College of Southern Nevada High School, South Campus
“We’re proud to have partnered with Sam & Ash on this important initiative,” said Jennifer Grube with CCSD Safe Routes to School. “Our mission is to prepare young drivers for the realities of the road, and this contest helped engage students in that conversation.”
“Safety features in vehicles, like Forward Collision Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring, are great,” added Melisa Eichbauer, General Manager at Findlay Volkswagen Henderson. “But the best safety feature is a driver who is alert and driving responsibly. Congratulations to all the students who participated.”
Teen Driving Statistics:
- Drivers under 20 are the largest demographic involved in distracted driving fatal crashes.
- Using a cell phone while driving reduces brain activity by 37%.
- Teen drivers represent 5% of drivers on Nevada roads but account for 10% of crashes.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens.
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About Sam & Ash Injury Law:
Founded in 2019, Sam & Ash is a personal injury law firm committed to helping accident victims throughout Nevada and California. Sam Mirejovsky and Ashley Watkins bring decades of experience and a compassionate, client-focused approach to ensure every client is fairly compensated for their injuries. More than just counsel, they serve as partners that are by your side every step of the way. They are the personal injury attorneys who do What’s Right.
For more info, visit samandashlaw.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly
Twitter) @samandashlaw.
Media Contact:
Rob Benson; MassMedia
720-409-2100, rbenson@massmediacc.com
