We are proud to announce that New Hope-Solebury High School is once again the overall winner of the 18th Annual Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge presented by NJM Insurance Group!
New Hope-Solebury student drivers had the highest overall seatbelt use (98 percent) over 20 other Bucks County high schools that participated in the challenge while Upper Bucks Technical High School achieved the greatest percentage increase in seatbelt use over all schools at four percent (92 % in fall to 96 % in spring).
New Hope-Solebury High School, which was also the overall winner in 2010-11, 2015-16, 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2023-24, was presented with a $500 cash grant and perpetual trophy plaque at a school assembly on June 9.
The cash prize is donated by TMA Bucks and is encouraged to be used by the school for safety-related purposes.
“Congratulations to New-Hope Solebury students for their remarkable achievement in winning the Seatbelt Challenge in back-to-back school years,” said TMA Bucks executive director Stephen J. Noll. “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.”
The school group that promoted the Seatbelt Challenge throughout the entire school year were student government leaders Skylar High, Max Wright, Kaylee Fennell, Dillon DeMao, Joe Rickard, Ava Cozza, Laura Genovay, and John Nettles. These students were under the direction of teacher Jon Gonsiewski and passed out “LifeSavers” mints to all drivers with seatbelts on during dismissal at times to promote buckling up.
”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 Principal Patrick 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!”
Teacher Drew Giorgi’s video productions students also helped promote the challenge at New Hope-Solebury by creating a video for the Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge powered by Comcast portion of the challenge and screening them for all students.
“I am very proud of all of our students who participated in this program,” said Gale. “They took the program seriously and were very excited about doing their public service announcement videos. This is just another example of how dedicated our students are to this school and to the safety of others. It was all the students in the Law Enforcement Program that took the initiative to make the program a success. This is also a credit to their Instructors Mr. Joel Ritter and Mr. Matthew Phelan.”
In Fall 2024, baseline surveys on seatbelt usage by student drivers were conducted at high schools throughout the county without the knowledge of the student body or administration in order to ensure the most accurate data sampling. All schools were then challenged to raise seatbelt usage and participate in the Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge. Various student groups then at each participating school promote the Seatbelt Challenge to all students throughout the school year in a variety of creative ways. Follow-up surveys took place unannounced in April and May and the winning schools were decided.
NJM Insurance Group was the presenting sponsor this year with supporting sponsorships coming 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.”
We also announced recently that Palisades High School was voted the winner of this year’s Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge powered by Comcast. Palisades was voted the winner over nine other Bucks County high schools for this video: https://youtu.be/5coWicgXpMk?si=YS7-SaRUaLZeGe0u
