Teens in the Driver Seat® 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 Teens in the Driver Seat® 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. Teens in the Driver Seat® 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 Teens in the Driver Seat® Teen Advisory Board.
TAB members are selected for the next year at the end of the previous school year.
Check out the TAB album on Facebook for snapshots of the board in action.
The board members:
- 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 quarterly meetings
- Serve as ambassadors and leaders for Teens in the Driver Seat®
So who are the members?
Esther Akapo
Harmony Science Academy
Garland, TX
Esther is a senior serving her 2nd year on the TAB. She is extremely involved in her community and school as senior class secretary, historian of Garland Youth Council, and President of her youth group. Esther is also involved in the Newspaper Committee of the Methodist Hospital Junior Volunteer Program, which allows her to promote and spread the TDS message.
Esther describes herself as driven, creative, funny, diligent and helpful.
Samantha Arellano
Harlingen High School
Harlingen, TX
Samantha has been active in her school district’s Advisory Board, Raven Club Treasure, Student Council and National Junior Honor Society. She also served as Freshman Class President. With her involvement in all of these activities, she plans to learn more about safe driving and spread the word.
Samantha describes herself as tall, serious, smart, calm and fun.
Kendall Armitage
Dakota Ridge High School
Littleton, CO
Kendall is serving her 2nd year on the TAB and is set to graduate this May. She is able to share TDS messaging because she is the Junior Class President and Co-Chair of Dakota Ridge’s Drive Safe Committee. Kendall hopes to bring new safe driving ideas into the TDS Program.
Kendall describes herself as outgoing, friendly, strong, helpful and a leader.
Elmer Avalos
Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)
El Paso, TX
This is Elmer’s first year on the TAB. He supports the message TDS is trying to spread. Elmer believes that he will be a positive role model representing this program.
Elmer describes himself as honest, loyal, proud, confident and strong.
Memphis Baker
Platte Valley High School
Kersey, CO
This is Memphis’ first year serving on the TAB. He was an FCCLA District Officer and learned leadership and teamwork skills in this role. Memphis wants to serve as a TAB Member so that he may become more involved in helping his community and fellow classmates.
Memphis describes himself as responsible, kind, determined, intelligent and fun.
Emily Benz
Memorial High School
Houston, TX
This is Emily’s first year on the TAB. She currently serves as the Club Chair in her schools Executive Board of Student Council and is Captain of the JV Soccer team. She is also very involved in her community, by volunteering at a hospital and with the National Charity League. Emily feels passionate about keeping my friends, family and myself safe in the car.
Emily describes herself as creative, driven, caring, intelligent and a team player.
Christian Bynoe
East Stroudsburg High School South
East Stroudsburg, PA
Christian currently participates in his schools SADD program. He is determined to help and teach teens about the dangers of driving.
Christian describes himself as caring, determined, helpful, funny and courageous.
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Maya Caceres
Trinity High School
Trinity, TX
Maya is extremely involved with her school and the TDS program. She is the Vice President of Student council and Head Editor of the Yearbook. This is Maya’s 2nd year serving on the TAB.
Maya describes herself as loving, kind, trustworthy, smart and outgoing.
Bailey Calabria
Brandeis High School
San Antonio, TX
Bailey wants to stop accidents and help other teenagers drive safely. She is in the GT program at her school and has already teamed up with the Teens in the Driver Seat program. She is the head of the TDS committee and creates presentations and activities for the meetings. She is also active in her community by volunteering at her school and with the Fisher House, Elf Louise, and the Food Bank. Bailey believes that no life, especially a child’s, should end in a car.
Bailey describes herself as independent, intelligent, honest, caring and responsible.
Caitlyn Christina
Veteran’s Memorial High School
Corpus Christi, TX
This is Caitlyn’s 2nd year on the TAB. She is very involved with the program, her school, and her community. Caitlyn enjoys providing insight, opinions, and outreach that will appeal her peers. She believes the TDS program is a fun and easy way to save lives.
Caitlyn describes herself as meticulous, smart, compassionate, vibrant and a leader.
Bailey Cordle
Pepperell High School
Lindale, GA
Bailey is serving her 2nd year as TAB member and has been very active in TDS through activities like Zero Crazy and Teen Takeover. She wants to continue to help spread the TDS message and change the driving world for the better. Outside of school, Bailey also volunteers at her local Children’s Library.
Bailey describes herself as honest, trustworthy, dependable, kind and friendly.
Neika Daniel
Holland High School
Holland, TX
Neika is a 2nd year TAB Member who desires to be a part of informing and promoting safety. She is involved in many of her Community Activities and enjoys helping her peers and community thrive. Neika believes that the need for safe driving is very important.
Neika describes herself as honest, curious, straightforward, optimistic and dedicated.
Samantha de la Rosa
Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)
El Paso, TX
This is Samantha’s first year on the TAB. She enjoys organizing events and wishes to serve as an Ambassador for the TDS program. Samantha hopes to help TDS grow and involve more youth.
Samantha describes herself as dedicated, organized, friendly, creative and outgoing.
Eva Ellenburg
Pepperell High School
Lindale, GA
Eva is a hardworking student who wishes to continue making a difference in the way people drive in her community. This is Eva’s 2nd year on the TAB. She is very involved in school programs such as SADD Executive Council and the Key Club’s Executive Council.
Eva describes herself as quirky, passionate, motivated, honorable and loyal.
Estela Fierro
El Dorado High School
El Paso, TX
Since her 6th grade year, Estela has been a part of the TDS program by informing her peers about the importance of being safe when on the road. She is involved in Student Council and the Law Enforcement club, which has also taught her the importance of protecting and serving others. Being a leader and an example for her community gives Estela the responsibility to inform and educate as many as she can, even at such a young age.
Estela describes herself as hardworking, motivated, outgoing, confident and ambitious.
Mauro Flores
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts
Laredo, TX
Mauro is a first year member of the TAB. He has participated in several Fundraisers, such as Bethany House and the South Texas Food Bank. As a TAB member, he wants to help prevent teen deaths by teaching his peers and community the main driving risks.
Mauro describes himself as dedicated, trustworthy, humble, honest and smart.
Divoria Gaffney
Toombs County High School
Lyons, GA
This will be Divoria’s 1st year serving as a TAB Member. She believes that distractions while driving is such a small and easy fix when the person truly cares about their safety. Divoria believes her skills as a team player, motivator, and leader would greatly benefit everyone involved with TDS.
Divoria describes herself as persistent, enthusiastic, intelligent, disciplined and a leader.
Oscar Galvan
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts
Laredo, TX
This is Oscar’s 1st year as a TAB Member. With past experience helping with TDS activities, he plans on helping his school and community better understand the need for safe driving.
Oscar describes himself as fun, creative, adventurous and a leader.
Brady Gladney
Pepperell High School
Lindale, GA
Brady has been his school’s SADD Executive for 2 years in a row. As his 1st year on the TAB, he plans to do everything he can to lower distracted driving, not only in his school, but in his community as well. Brady wants to help others understand that that those actions have severe consequences.
Brady describes himself as dedicated, active, optimistic, hardworking and passionate.
Alec Gonzales
Johnson High School
San Antonio, TX
This is Alec’s 2nd year on the TAB. Alec enjoys working towards the same goal to make driving safer. He hopes to continue to educate his peers about the many dangers of distracted driving. Alec wants to bring more members to TDS and help spread TDS’ message and the good it does for kids starting or learning to drive.
Alec describes himself as reliable, honest and caring.
Jose Gutierrez
Harlingen High School South
Harlingen, TX
As a 2nd year TAB member, Jose has been extremely involved with TDS. As President of the TDS program in his school, Jose has been hosting / monitoring events and spreading awareness about the five major dangers to teen drivers. He hopes to imbed the TDS message into his peer’s brains and get more schools involved.
Jose describes himself as kind, hardworking, outgoing, dedicated and talkative.
Kelcey Helmick
Conifer High School
Conifer, CO
This is Kelcey’s 3rd year as a TAB Member. She is currently running to become her school’s Student Body President and also works alongside a very similar program called Drive Smart. Kelcey wishes to continue reaching out to her peers in many ways in order to prevent regrets and fatalities.
Kelcey describes herself as active, motivated, sociable, accomplished and passionate.
Ajay Hiller
East Stroudsburg High School South
East Stroudsburg, PA
This is Ajay’s 1st year on the TAB. He has helped with many TDS activities as his school, such as Zero Crazy. Ajay is his school’s SADD Treasurer and plans to use that platform to spread the TDS message.
Ajay describes himself as athletic, smart, hardworking, dedicated and enthusiastic.
Keileina Honda
Helix Charter High School
La Mesa, CA
As a 2nd year member of the TAB, Keileina wishes to continue to help equip teens with the resources and network to raise awareness, educate, and inform them of the “#1 killer of youth in America. She also hopes to provide her peers with the opportunity for their voices to be heard and their efforts to be directed towards safer streets and to lower the fatality rate on the roads. Keileina’s goal is to help save lives. She wants to serve to help save.
Keileina describes herself as energetic, friendly, motivated, serious and practical.
Jade Jeffcoats
Chisum High School
Paris, TX
As Jade’s 1st year on the TAB, she wants to not only teach people about the dangers of distracted driving, but also impact their lives. She wants to be an example for teens and kids around my area and wants people to see her practicing and teaching safe driving habits. Jade is also a valuable member in her school’s Crime Stoppers Club.
Jade describes herself as organized, creative, determined, brave and fun loving.
Summer Knowles
Faith Heritage Christian Academy
Germantown, TN
Summer has a passion for traffic safety. She believes that we live in a society that expects teens to make responsible decisions behind the wheel; yet, most are never taught how or what it means to do so. Summer hopes to educate students BEFORE tragedy strikes to save lives and prevent incarcerations.
Summer describes herself as dedicated, ambitious, optimistic and a leader.
Joshua Montemayor
Brandeis High School
San Antonio, TX
This is Joshua’s 2nd year on the TAB. With TDS, he wants to help save his friends lives and also help protect his own. Joshua is currently on his school’s football team and is working with the Brandeis’ GT Program to help arrange TDS events at his school.
Josh describes himself as smart, relaxed, outgoing, hardworking and athletic.
Taylor Moody
Chisum High School
Paris, TX
Taylor wants to make a positive change in driving in her community and school. By joining the TAB, she hopes to use her past volunteer work experiences as a guideline to help spread the TDS message. Taylor is currently spreading the TDS message at her church.
Taylor describes herself as outgoing, enthusiastic, organized, caring and a “people person”.
Carlie Morgan
Toombs County High School
Lyons, GA
Carlie believes when effective communication is utilized in any setting, no matter if it is a professional or casual setting, it can be used to persuade, understand, and inform everyone involved in the discussion. She is currently president of the FCCLA Chapter in her school and has even traveled to two neighboring high schools to help them get the TDS program started. Carlie plans to use her previous experiences to help keep her peers and community safe when behind the wheel.
Carlie describes herself as driven, open minded, enthusiastic, intelligent and a leader.
Shrida Pandey
Acalanes High School
Lafayette, CA
As her 1st year on the TAB, Shrida hopes to educate her peers and herself about the dangers of distracted driving. She currently volunteers in a group called Assisteens, where it has allowed her to talk to others and share their thoughts on the epidemic of teen car crashes. Shrida wants to make sure herself and other people will be safe.
Shrida describes herself as kind, funny, caring, hardworking and passionate.
Noah Payne
Lake Dallas High School
Corinth, TX
Noah has volunteered in many school and community activities that helped contribute to the TDS program. As a 2nd year TAB Member, he has learned there are many aspects of safe driving, so he believes other teens should also know about these safe driving tips. Noah feels that he should continue to help other students understand why it is important to become a safe driver.
Noah describes himself as dedicated, organized, trustworthy, compassionate and dependable.
Sarah Peterson
Chattahoochee High School
Johns Creek, GA
Sarah is an active member of the SADD club at her school. By attending national meetings, Sarah can use what she learns to spread the message of safe driving. She is determined to create innovative ways to educate her peers.
Sarah describes herself as dedicated, diligent, responsible, thoughtful and compassionate.
Erik Ramirez
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts
Laredo, TX
This is Erik’s 2nd year on the TAB. By helping his peers and informing them about the dangers of driving under the influence, Erik spreads awareness to his city. He plans to help by changing lives and by protecting his campus and family.
Erik describes himself as mature, social, intellectual, humorous and responsible.
Chaudhry Rasool
Chattahoochee High School
Johns Creek, GA
Chaudhry is the Vice President of the SADD club at his school. Through hosting and participating in many events, Chaudhry has enlightened his peers on how drunk driving affects vision and perception. He is determined to work toward the betterment of students across the country.
Chaudhry describes himself as kind, hardworking, organized, determined and ambitious.
Chase Roberts
Norfolk Sr. High School
Norfolk, NE
Chase is actively involved is spreading awareness about safe driving. He has participated in many TDS activities at his school. By having the strength of a leader, Chase will continue to have an eventful year spreading these safety messages.
Chase describes himself as kind, motivated, confident, dependable and a leader.
Cameron Sothan
Norfolk Sr. High School
Norfolk, NE
Cameron is a 2nd year member of the TAB and also the Governor of her local Junior Optimist Club. With hard work and passion, Cameron strives to make a difference in the community for the betterment of others. By educating the community, safe drivers are being created.
Cameron describes herself as hardworking, kind, helpful, smart and creative.
Elizabeth Stephens
Churchill County High School
Fallon, NV
Elizabeth is a 2nd year member of the TAB. Elizabeth has personally reached over 700 people with the Teens in the Driver Seat message. She conducts projects and activities to promote safe driving in her school and community. Elizabeth continues to use this platform to spread the message of safe driving to more people. She believes that Teens in the Driver Seat is an amazing organization and it possesses qualities that are essential to keeping our teens safe.
Elizabeth describes herself as driven, curious, passionate, creative and a student leader.
Jordan Stone
O’Connor High School
Helotes, TX
Jordan is really passionate about the Teens in the Driver Seat safety messaging and the activities at her school. She wants to get involved with her community to help it become a better place. Jordan wants to work with a group of people across many states, and Teens in the Driver Seat offers than rare opportunity.
Jordan describes herself as bold, passionate, altruistic, communicative and hardworking.
Asher Torres
Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)
El Paso, TX
Asher is a first year member of the TAB. He engages others about what it is like to be under the influence of alcohol while driving. By continuing to spread awareness of safe driving, Asher wants to help as many peers as possible.
Asher describes himself as kind, caring, selfless and helpful.
Karina Torres
Trinity High School
Trinity, TX
Karina is a 2nd year member of the TAB. She wants to make a change in her community by making safe driving a priority. By educating everyone about the dangers of driving, Karina hopes to prevent car accidents.
Karina describes herself as kind, caring, smart, funny and outgoing.
Austin Truex
Norfolk Sr. High School
Norfolk, NE
Austin is a 1st year member of the TAB and actively involved with TDS at his school. He has helped with many events that spread awareness of safe driving. With his leadership experience, Austin is committed to start additional projects in his community to reach out to more people.
Austin describes himself as caring, intelligent, responsible, hardworking and dedicated.
Mairyn Vega
Harlingen High School South
Harlingen, TX
Mairyn is a 1st year member of the TAB and served as President of the Raven Crime Stoppers at her campus. She’s excited to serve as a Teens in the Driver Seat Teen Advisory Board member because of its ability to save/change someone else’s life. Mairyn wants to be a part of this greater cause to save lives.
Mairyn describes herself as bold, courageous, empathetic, compassionate and meticulous.
Leroy Zaller, Jr.
Harlingen High School
Harlingen, TX
Leroy is a first year member of the TAB. He wants to alert other students about safety in the car. He believes in the TDS program and what it stands for. Leroy strongly feels that we need to educate others on driving distractions.
Leroy describes himself as kind, smart, caring, trustworthy and thoughtful.
Isaiah Zavala
Harlingen High School South
Harlingen, TX
Isaiah is actively involved with his school’s TDS team called the Blue Knights. Isaiah participates in many events throughout the year that promote safe driving. With his developed skills, he plans to continue the betterment of his community.
Isaiah describes himself as outgoing, committed, a team player and a leader.
Isaiah Zielinske
O’Connor High School
Helotes, TX
Isaiah is a first year member of the TAB and has served as the Vice President of Alpha Gamm Tau, a club that works closely with our TDS club. He has worked on multiple TDS projects at his school. Isaiah has realized that campaigning to the youth of this nation is the only way to change driving for the better and save countless lives.
Isaiah describes himself as determined, intelligent, responsible, dutiful and compassionate.