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.
Read about the board and the application process
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?
Mya Aguirre
Harlingen South High School
Harlingen, TX
Mya has been extremely involved with TDS, hosting events and spreading awareness about the five major dangers to teen drivers. Through extracurricular activities, Mya has learned how to work in groups and also lead groups to be successful towards their goal.
Mya describes herself as outgoing, funny, athletic, motivated and hardworking.
Esther Akapo
Harmony Science Academy
Garland, TX
Esther hopes to encourage safe driving and remind teens of the dangers they face on the road. Her passion for safety and her leadership role on the Garland Youth Council has allowed her to promote TDS at their events. Becoming a part of the TDS Teen Advisory Board, Esther hopes to impact as many families as possible.
Esther is a leader who is dedicated, organized, attentive and humble.
Gracie Alvarado
Toombs County High School
Lyons, GA
Gracie is a senior at Toombs County High School in Georgia and plays a vital role in making TDS events happen in her community. She is a dedicated person with a great work ethic. Gracie will be graduating in May of 2018 and would like to dedicate her last year to TDS and their common goal of spreading safe driving awareness.
Gracie describes herself as confident, ambitious, motivated and reliable.
Olga Alvarado
Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA)
Fort Worth, TX
Olga Alvarado is a 2nd year member of the Teen Advisory Board and would like to continue to educate teens about the risks they face every day driving. She is a go-getter, who will stop at nothing until her goal is accomplished.
Olga describes herself as outspoken, responsible, honest and determined. Olga will graduate in June of 2018.
Jackie Armas
Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA)
Fort Worth, TX
Jackie is ambitious, creative and helpful. She has participated in the TDS Driving the Message Contest to use her creative skills to help spread awareness about safe driving for teens just like her. She is caring and giving which makes Jackie passionate about spreading awareness on the dangers teens face specifically when driving.
Jackie hopes to make a difference in her community through the TDS Teen Advisory Board.
Kendall Armitage
Dakota Ridge High School
Littleton, CO
Kendall is a junior set to graduate in May 2019. She is the co-head of the Drive Smart Committee at her high school and a member of Student Government. She was also captain of her volleyball team and wishes to put her leadership and strong work ethic skills towards TDS Teen Advisory Board and its mission to educate young drivers.
Kendall is outgoing, smart, positive and committed.
Janelle Arnold
Harlingen High School
Harlingen, TX
Janelle is a sophomore who will graduate in 2020 who has already been very active with Teens in the Driver Seat. These skills are going to make her a great addition to the Teen Advisory Board because she is reliable, dedicated and passionate about improving the statistics on fatal teen car accidents.
She sees herself as kind, intelligent, hard-working, passionate and caring.
Lezlee Barajas
Harlingen High School
Harlingen, TX
Lezlee has a passion to keep her fellow teens safe while driving and wants to help change the bad driving habits of teens everywhere by educating them about the five major dangers. Her strongest skill is time management, which she will use to help achieve all the goals for TDS in the upcoming year. Lezlee volunteers her time with organizations such as Crime Stoppers, NJHS and UIL.
Lezlee describes herself as intelligent, hard-working, devoted and caring.
Jaxon Baughn
Chisum High School
Paris, TX
Jaxon is a veteran with TDS, having already been involved with the program for three years. Jaxon is outgoing and is not afraid to go out and talk to strangers in order to help educate the community about the distractions teens face while driving. As a hobby, Jaxson shows goats in competition and this has taught Jaxson responsibility and hard work.
Jaxon describes himself as a leader, hard-working, dependable, out-going and courteous.
Jae’Vone Brown
Holland High School
Holland, TX
He is involved in the FCCLA Peer Education program, trained in FACTS (Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety) and has also been in charge of his school’s TDS program. He enjoys being around people and wants to make his community better by educating teens about safe driving.
Jae’Vone considers himself smart, funny, polite, helpful and kind.
Clarissa Bush
Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)
El Paso, TX
Clarissa is a senior in high school and wants to provide new, innovative ideas on how to educate teens about safe driving to change behaviors in her community. She has seen the impact she can make with TDS. Clarissa likes to volunteer to help teachers and help with fundraising.
Clarissa describes herself as innovative, loving, caring, respectful and kind.
Maya Caceres
Trinity High School
Trinity, TX
Maya is on the Student Council Board at her school and actively serves her community. She would like to use her leadership position to influence others to be better drivers and passengers. Maya has seen the terrible effects of losing someone in a car accident so her passion stems from that memory to help other families stay safe on the road.
Maya describes herself as outgoing, confident, helpful, strong and independent.
Ella Canfield
Mason High School
Mason, TX
Ella is a leader in her community and has been activity involved with TDS for many years. Her leadership skills have blossomed from extracurricular activities such as cross country and tennis teams. Ella is very personable and makes friends everywhere she goes. Due to a personal experience, Ella is inspired to let her fellow teen drivers know the importance of safe driving.
She describes herself as persistent, analytical, caring, creative and light-hearted.
Vicki Carbajal
Trinity High School
Trinity, TX
Vicki is a junior who has seen the positive response from her school with the newly implemented TDS program. This has inspired her to continue to make it a success in her community. Vicki serves on her Student Council, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and Diamond Dolls.
Vicki sees herself as being determined, funny, responsible and a leader.
Karissa Cervenka
Bronte High School
Bronte, TX
She has seen the movement TDS has created at her school and she knows she can continue this great impact. Her experience from helping the Special Olympics, Career Fair, Food Pantry, FFA and Student Council gives her the credibility to help the TDS succeed even further this year.
Karissa describes herself as a loving, peppy, organized leader.
Therese Chifici
St. Scholastica Academy
Covington, LA
Therese is a junior and is excited to educate her fellow peers and their families about TDS and how to avoid the major dangers on the road while driving. She is a leader and not afraid to talk in front of crowds.
Therese describes herself as outgoing, caring, funny, nice and intelligent.
Caitlyn Christina
Veterans Memorial High School
Corpus Christi, TX
She has made the commitment to be a better driver and wants to educate others about how they can be better drivers as well. Therese will be an asset to the Teen Advisory Board because she will speak out about the issues teens face while driving and help change behaviors in her community to make the road a safer place for all.
Caitlyn is fun, bright, honest, reliable and outgoing.
India Chumney
Bronte High School
Bronte, TX
India has worked with TDS and wants to help the organization continue to grow at her school. Her passion is to educate others about the five major dangers while driving to create a safer place for everyone to drive. India is a leader with great work ethic who is excited to be a part of the TAB.
She describes herself as nice, out-going, confident, assertive and honest.
Bailey Cordle
Pepperell High School
Lindale, GA
Bailey is passionate about helping her community be a safer place for everyone. She wants to show that she can make her community better. She loves making new friends and volunteers at her local library.
Bailey describes herself as friendly, hard-working, intelligent and nice.
Jess Corona
Jefferson High School
El Paso, TX
Jess is a senior who is determined to educate her friends and community about safe driving. She wants to serve as a leader to TDS and in her community to make an impact. In her free time, she tutors other students.
Garrett Crawford
O’Connor High School
Helotes, TX
Garrett is a senior serving his 2nd year on the TAB. He wants to continue spreading the message of safe driving to teen drivers. He is dedicated and works well in groups to achieve a common goal. His ability to talk to people with ease makes him a great leader to educate many more teens about TDS and their mission to make the roads a safer place to drive.
Garrett describes himself as kind, respectful, helpful and hard-working.
Sandi Cruz
Toombs County High School
Lyon, GA
She wants to serve on the Teen Advisory Board because of the amount of serious car accidents she has seen throughout the years. She wants to see a change in the way teens drive. Through her dedication to help her community become a safe place, she believes her skills will be essential in progressing TDS with their mission.
Sandi describes herself as reliable, trustworthy, out-going, energetic and dedicated.
Bryce Cunningham
Chisum High School
Paris, TX
Bryce has been on the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) since his sophomore year and enjoys continuing his journey with TAB, educating teens about safe driving. Bryce is a leader, who has been trained to lead in leadership summits with his church, FFA and with TDS. Bryce will graduate in spring of 2018.
Bryce considers himself outgoing, creative, hard-working and dedicated to anything he puts his mind to.
Neika Daniel
Holland High School
Holland, TX
Neika is a junior who will be graduating in 2019. Neika enjoys being a good example to her peers and helping her community thrive. She encourages safe to everyone around her. She is a leader at her school and has volunteered as a missionary in Haiti.
She describes herself as determined, intellectual, out-going, compassionate and confident.
Addie D’Aquin
St. Scholastica Academy
Covington, LA
Addie participates in bake sales to raise money for teens around the area that are affected in drunk driving accidents. Addie is team player who is very diligent, ambitious and easy-going. Addie will be graduating in 2019 and further describes herself as out-going, energetic and compassionate.
Addie is reliable and works well with people.
Ashley De La Rosa
Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)
El Paso, TX
Ashley is a quick-learner and has helped organize the 2017 TDS Safety Fair at CCTE. Her drive to help others stay safe in her community is fueled by her thoughtfulness and seeing how she can make a difference through TDS.
Ashley is an out-going, responsible, intelligent and patient senior.
Abby Dillon
Mary Persons High School
Forsyth, GA
Abby has helped kick start the TDs program at her high school and enjoys promoting safe driving because it is important to her to keep the citizens of her community safe. Abby has a leadership role with the HOSA organization at her high school. She is also enlisted in the Georgia Nation Guard. She likes TDS because she feels it is important to make this information readily accessible for all students.
Abby describes herself as honest, dedicated, loyal, humble and kind.
James Drexler
Strake Jesuit College Prep
Pearland, TX
James Drexler is an energetic senior serving his second year on the TAB. The change his sister made in their community, while her time on the TAB, has inspired him to become involved in TDS and help their community stay safe on the road.
James describes himself as kind, resourceful, hardworking and a team-player.
Madison Duncan
Kemp High School
Kemp, TX
Madison takes charge in anything she is involved in. She enjoys finding solutions to issues in order to improve the situation. Madison is vice president of Community Service for the FCCLA chapter at her high school.
Madison describes herself as quirky, spontaneous, determined, dedicated and a leader.
Eva Ellenburg
Pepperell High School
Lindale, GA
Eva Ellenburg is a hard-working student who is also involved in Student Council. She is a freshman looking to devote her time towards an organization that makes a difference. She knows with her reliability and creativity, she can help progress the organization and their efforts towards safer roads for her community.
Ella describes herself as passionate, energetic, truthful and smiley.
Frank Even
Burke High School
Burke, SD
Frank has helped grow the TDS organization at his school and has reached out to other schools in the county to help change other teens’ behaviors while driving. With his excellent time management skills he learned from being involved in school, organizations and volunteer projects, he believes he will make the TAB very successful in their endeavors this year.
Frank is creative, smart and reliable and also describes himself as intuitive and independent.
Jileen Garcia
Chisum High School
Paris, TX
Jileen has been involved with TDS for two years and is serving her 2nd year on the TAB. Jileen enjoys educating teens about safe driving and wants to continue raising awareness.
Jileen is devoted, helpful and dependable and further describes herself as open-minded and determined.
Pablo Garcia Jr.
C.C. Winn High School
Eagle Pass, TX
Pablo has already served the TAB for two years and wishes to continue to make a difference on the board. He is innovative and ready to push out new ideas for TDS to influence teens to drive safely. He enjoys speaking to his community and knows he can continue to make a difference with TDS.
Pablo describes himself as positive, active, driven, out-going and a leader.
Hannah Ghannam
Helix Charter High School
La Mesa, CA
After learning of the major dangers teen face daily, she wants to be a part of the change. She is a member of the SADD club at her school and a part of the REC Center of Lemon Grove. Hannah wants to make sure all of her friends have the knowledge to get home safely.
Hannah is creative and friendly.
Alec Gonzales
Johnson High School
San Antonio, TX
Alec is a motivated and caring freshman looking to make a difference. He is a leader who follows through with tasks. He hopes to make TDS as successful it can be by being on the TAB. Alec also wants to promote awareness of unsafe driving among his peers.
He describes himself as strong, sensitive and prosperous.
Kate Gordon
Holland High School
Holland, TX
Kate is a junior who has been involved with TDS for a year and is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Teen Advisory Board. She enjoys talking with people and would be ecstatic to make a difference for teens behind the wheel. Involved in her community, she plans to change the behavior of teens in her community and hopefully beyond.
Kate describes herself as out-going, kind, loving, peppy and energetic.
Jose Gutierrez
Harlingen South High School
Harlingen, TX
Jose has learned about the dangers teens face while driving, through the TDS program at his school. This has inspired him to make a difference in teens lives when they get behind the wheel. Jose has attended the Texas Crime Stoppers Conference in Paris, Texas where his passion for safety was fueled by other inspirational stories. Jose hopes to have the same effect on other people.
He describes himself as determined, hard-working, responsible, reliable and respectful.
Cami Hale
Dakota Ridge High School
Littleton, CO
She wants to change the habits of teens who have not experienced the consequences of unsafe driving first hand before it’s too late. She is an outgoing person who isn’t afraid to promote what she is passionate about. She plays competitive softball, is a yearbook editor and is a part of the student government at her school.
Cami is a senior who describes herself as “small girl, big heart.”
Kelcey Helmick
Conifer High School
Conifer, CO
This is her 2nd year on the TAB and would like to continue to influence her community. She is the vice president of the Student Government at her school which has helped developed her leadership skills. She considers being a member of the TAB an honor.
Kelcey is a junior who describes herself as genuine, caring, fun, responsible and active.
Christian Henk
Bandera High School
Bandera, TX
Christian enjoys being involved in organizations that really makes and difference in people’s lives – TDS is one of those programs, as he has seen a change in behaviors at his school. Christian is a part of the Business Professionals of America, Marching Band, Student Council, NHS, Track, Internal Club, ACTS and Youth Minister for Middle School Students at his church. Through his 3 previous years of experience on the TAB, he has gained excellent communication and leadership skills. Christian describes himself as passionate, loyal to the cause, hard-working, intelligent and friendly.
Genesis Hermosillo
El Dorado High School
El Paso, TX
Genesis is a varsity cheerleader, member of NHS and student council. Genesis wants to show her peers the importance of driving safe and will advocate to not only her school, but to her community as to why teens driving safely is crucial.
Genesis is a senior who is friendly, encouraging, outgoing, spirited and enthusiastic.
Keileina Honda
Helix Charter High School
La Mesa, CA
Keileina is a hard worker who gets the job done when assigned something to do, especially with a great cause like TDS. She works with children at her church and is on her school’s speech and debate team. Her communication skills will be a great asset on the TAB in order to help spread the word about safe driving to teens and their families.
Keileina describes herself as energetic, serious, practical, hard-working and driven.
Carolina Juarez
Brandeis High School
San Antonio, TX
Carolina is a junior serving her 2nd year on the TAB. She has a passion for helping others and wants to make an impact in her peers’ lives. She is a part of Student Council, Class of 2019 Treasurer and plays soccer. Carolina also volunteers with her local church and community.
Carolina describes herself as responsible, energetic, academic, dedicated and strong.
Bella Lopez
Nixon High School
Laredo, TX
Bella was a participant in the TDS Mercurio Martinez IV 5k run in Laredo, Texas. She wants to make a difference in her community and help teens stay aware of the five major dangers behind the wheel. She is also a student teacher for Junior Achievement.
Bella describes herself as athletic, out-going, bubbly, responsible and friendly.
Alanna Magistro
Chattahoochee High School
Johns Creek, GA
She has attended the 2016 Youth and Young Adult Leadership conference where she first heard about TDS. Her school adopted the program and she has been involved ever since then making a difference in teens lives. Alanna is honored to be on the TAB with other teens that feel the same intense enthusiasm to make a positive difference.
Alanna describes herself as passionate, creative, attentive, organized and patient.
Sierra Martin
Kemp High School
Kemp, TX
Sierra has worked with TDS through her FCCLA chapter at her school, after attending the 2016 TDS Summit. She helps raise awareness for TDS by working on projects. She has a passion for helping others.
Sierra describes herself as crazy, determined, independent, trustworthy and dedicated.
Adela Martinez
Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA)
Fort Worth, TX
Adela is a sociable girl who has used her communication skills to educate students about safe driving through the TDS program. She has heard Tyson Dever speak and it inspired her to want to spread awareness to other teens to help save lives. She wants to keep informing teens about all the dangers there are when driving at such a young age with all of the factors many of us don’t consider.
Adela describes herself as hard-working, dedicated, responsible and having a good mind-set.
Marcos Mendoza
Central Catholic High School
San Antonio, TX
Marcos has seen the impact TDS makes on teens lives and wants to be a part of that movement. He is open-minded and enjoys learning and teaching information.
Marcos describes himself as different, honest, nerdy and independent.
Meg Mercante
St. Scholastica Academy
Covington, LA
Meg is a junior who knows that Teens in the Driver Seat is an influential program. She wants to help spread the TDS message and be a positive influence to teens. She wants to help teens be safe.
Meg describes herself as positive, hard-working, studious and a creative girl.
Josh Montemayor
Brandeis High School
San Antonio, TX
Josh is a freshman who began educating teens about the five major dangers teens face when he was in middle school. He cares about his friends and wants to make sure they are safe passengers and safe future drivers. He does not want to lose one of his friends due to a car crash. Josh is involved with his church and volunteers every summer.
Josh describes himself as smart, relaxed, out-going, hard-working and athletic.
Krystal Nelson
East Stroudsburg High School South
East Stroudsburg, PA
Krystal is serving her 2nd year on the TAB. She wants to continue the movement she has created with her peers. She is motivated to get the message across to students and her community about not drinking, texting or dong anything that could distract them from the road.
Krystal describes herself as kind, detailed, motivated, persistent and a hard-worker.
Tiffany Nguyen
Creekview High School
Carrollton, TX
Tiffany has helped TDS educate teens about how to be a safe driver at her school and in her community. Tiffany is a leader in her school and wants to use her leadership skills and creativity to deliver great ideas to the table.
Tiffany is reliable and creative.
Noah Payne
Lake Dallas High School
Corinth, TX
Noah attended a TDS event and loved the experience. He is compassionate in helping his school, district and community by making a positive impact. He is a leader who is a positive role model for his fellow peers. He is the Student Council D.A.S.H. Chairman, member of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and has ample hours of volunteer.
Noah describes himself as honest, dedicated, loyal, trustworthy and a team-player.
Lorenzo Polanco
Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)
El Paso, TX
Lorenzo helped his school plan their first Safety Fair with the TDS program. He describes himself as ambitious, determined, hard-working, ingenious and honest. He has volunteered with the Therapeutic Horsemanship Facility and it showed him how much he enjoys helping others. Due to personal experiences, his goal is to educate unaware teens about the risks of impaired driving.
Erik Ramirez
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts
Laredo, TX
Erik has assisted with the Hispanic Festival and the Girl Scout event “Pancakes with Santa”. He wants to help his community be a safe place to drive. His drive to help others is the reason he wants to continue the movement of educating student on safe driving habits.
Erik describes himself as mature, well-mannered, clever, smart and respectful.
Mario Ramos
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts
Laredo, TX
Mario is not new to TDS as he has worked with the Hispanic Festival, Multiple Fundraisers, the WBCA Parade and a TDS press event. His leadership skills help him communicate effectively and he is strongly against reckless driving. He is also involved in marching band at his school, which requires endurance and discipline.
Mario is energetic, hard-working, determined and loyal.
Elise Ricks
Helix Charter High School
La Mesa, CA
Elise is confident and intelligent which makes her want to be a part of the TAB in order to help the movement of safe driving for teens continue to be successful. She wants to make the driving world a safer place.
Elise describes herself as kind, honest and responsible.
Kenya Rodriguez
Harlingen High School
Harlingen, TX
Kenya loves people and wants to become more involved in her community. She enjoys working with TDS and crime stoppers. She knows how to deal with stress and works hard to complete tasks on time and with effective results from her work.
Kenya describes herself as respectful, kind, hard-working, devoted and out-going.
Eirik Skildheim
Conifer High School
Conifer, CO
Eirik is a smart and funny guy. This is his second year serving on the TAB. This year he would like to implement some of his innovative ideas. He wants to give TDS all of his commitment and knows he will be able to produce great changes and ultimately save lives.
Eirik describes himself as charismatic, out-going and bold.
Bree Smith
Jim Ned High School
Tuscola, TX
Bree wants to become more involved with TDS to make a difference in her community. Bree wants to show how safety decisions, like wearing seat belts, not only affect her peers, but everyone around them. She is involved with her local church, fire department, FCCLA and TAFE.
Bree is a junior who is determined, inspired and a hard worker. Bree further describes herself as a perfectionist.
Camie Sothan
Norfolk Sr. High School
Norfolk, NE
Camie is a sophomore looking to earn more experience with being a leader. She has already been very involved with TDS since she entered high school and wants to continue to educate teens about driving safe and help change their bad habits. Camie has ample hours of community service and is very involved in her school organizations.
She describes herself as friendly, intelligent, helpful, resourceful and creative.
Emily Spiekerman
O’Connor High School
Helotes, TX
Emily is a kind, loyal and responsible young woman who is serving her 3rd year on the TAB. She helped start the TDS program at her school. Emily wants to advocate safe driving among her peers and help make a safer driving community around her. Emily is also a part of NHS and FFA.
She is a team player and further describes herself as intelligent and dependable.
Liz Stephens
Upton High School
Upton, WY
Liz is a leader in her family, school and community. Liz knows that promoting safe driving is of the utmost importance. She feels that this leadership will help her be even more successful this year with educating teens through all the TDS programs located at school. Her resume for volunteer work is extensive and she loves giving back to her community.
Liz describes herself as empathetic, innovative, passionate and trustworthy.
Haley Storovich
Norfolk Sr. High School
Norfolk, NE
She thinks the TDS program is amazing. Haley wants to spread awareness and do what she can to help people learn about the dangers of distracted driving. She is a born leader who works well with groups because she is a great communicator. Haley volunteers with Mercy Meals, her church nursery and youth group.
Haley describes herself as determined, self-motivated, helpful, respectful and trustworthy.
Noah Thornton
Jim Ned High School
Tuscola, TX
Noah helped with TDS during safe driving day at his school. He wants to improve society’s driving habits through Teens in the Driver Seat. Involved in Student Council, being the Varsity Mascot and part of TDS, Noah hopes to make a difference with his peers.
He describes himself as loving, hard-working, friendly and organized.
Karina Torres
Trinity High School
Trinity, TX
Karina wants to serve on the TAB to do her part in making the world a better and more safe place to live in. She wants to make a difference before someone gets hurt. Karina would like to see every high school implement TDS.
She describes herself as funny, honest, calm, outspoken and independent.
Maegan Yeary
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts
Laredo, TX
Maegan is out-going and has been involved with TDS since her freshman year. This is her 2nd year to serve on the TAB. Maegan enjoys working with teens from across Texas and across the nation that are all individually working to make a difference in their local communities.
Maegan is a creative and ambitious senior.