Sarai Rocha, age 15.
Q: Why are you involved in the Teens in the Driver Seat® program and what do you like most about being a part of the team?
A: I chose to become involved in TDS to spread awareness of the dangers of the road. I really enjoy that by being a part of this program I can save lives and prevent others from losing loved ones to car accidents.
Q: If you could change one thing about the way your friends drive or ride in the car, what would it be?
A: I don’t want my friends to continue their reckless driving. I would want for them to know and understand the consequences of their habits so they can change for the better and not put lives in danger.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: In five years, I hope to see myself in college and, by then, hope to have made a name of myself and I hope have made an impact on my community.
Q: Who do you look up to?
A: One person I look up to is Amelia Earhart. Amelia Earhart is someone I aspire to be like. She was the first of many things; I aspire to also be the first of many things. She was a trailblazer for women and inspired others, and I, too, wish to be someone like her and set trails ablaze for many others.
Q: What would you say to inspire other teens to care more about safe driving/traffic safety?
A: Teens are not invincible. By driving recklessly, teens are putting themselves and others in serious danger. Teens, themselves, are highly susceptible to have accidents on the road. By having teens change their driving habits for the better, the numbers of accidents teens have will decrease and the roads will be much safer.
Q: What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned?
A: The biggest life lesson I have learned is that it’s okay to ask for help. Growing up I believed that I had to do everything myself and I disliked having to ask for help. But, now having learned that it’s okay to ask for help, I help others and ask for help when needed.
Q: What do you do now or what would you like to do in the future to #bethechange?
A: Something I would want to do would be to reach young girls all over the nation and tell them that they are strong and independent and can become successful, no matter what their background might be. I’d want to speak to girls all over nation telling them that whatever they set their minds on they can achieve.
