MASSILLON – Are you a dumb dumb or a lifesaver? That’s what local law enforcement asked R.G. Drage student drivers Wednesday morning as they pulled into the school’s parking lot.
Law enforcement officers stopped each student to see where the cellphone was in the vehicle. If the cellphone was visible, the driver received a Dum-Dums lollipop. If the cellphone was tucked away and out of sight, the driver received Life Savers candy.
The check was part of events this week to raise awareness about phone safety. The project was spearheaded by early childhood students Attianna Saunier, 17, Gage McKeever, 18, and Rylee Parson, 18.
The three — who serve as the early childhood program’s top class officers — are using the safety program as an entry into the Family Career and Community Leaders of America competition for technical and career school students. They will present their cellphone safety campaign at the regional competition in March in Columbus.
Parson explained the campaign is designed to get teens to think about how they use their cellphone and to provide tips to keep them safe. Activities were planned for each day of the week, including Red Thumb Day. Participants had a thumb painted red to remind them when using their phone to do it safely and at an appropriate time. Those who painted their thumb were entered into a drawing for a $25 gas card.