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About the 2021 Virtual TDS Summit

The Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Summit went virtual in 2021! Teens from Junior Highs and High Schools, teachers, and safety professionals gathered to celebrate, learn, and get excited about being champions of safe teen drivers and passengers. The TDS Summit provided attendees opportunities to collaborate and build alliances to help make their TDS program successful and activities meaningful with workshops focused on the skills, knowledge and tools needed to become effective peer leaders in teen traffic safety.

The TDS Summit kicked-off Youth Traffic Safety Month with a live event on May 1, 2021, with motivating speakers and the 2021 TDS All-Stars Awards. Texas schools recognized for excellence included Young Women’s Leadership Academy (Fort Worth), which took top honors and earned $1,000 for their school for the sixth year in a row. Vistas High School (Houston) and Bushland High School (Bushland) earned $500 for their schools, respectively.

Then, throughout May during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, TDS offered more sessions for teens, teachers, and traffic safety professionals. Thanks to funding from multiple sponsors, including TxDOT, State Farm, Union Pacific and General Motors, program resources and technical support are available at no cost to schools.

Download Press Release for Immediate Release> Local Teens Win Big at 12th Annual Teen Safety Summit

Contact: Gabriella Kolodzy  g-medina@tti.tamu.edu

Photos and Video for News Media

All-Star Reward Video:

Texas All-Star Award Winners

Young Women’s Leadership Academy, $1,000

Bushland High School, $500

Download Team Photo>

Vistas High School, $500

Event Logo

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Agenda

Week 1: May 1–8

Saturday, May 1 10:00a–11:30a CDT TDS Summit Kick-Off Celebration:
The Game-Winning 3: Dave Davlin
2021 All-Stars Awards Presentation (recording posted above): Youth Transportation Team
Monday, May 3 10:00a–10:45a CDT Traffic Safety During COVID: Robert Wunderlich (TTI)
Wednesday, May 5 2:00p–2:45p CDT Vaping and Driving: Ned Minevitz (TMCEC)
Team Showcase (Teen Maze): Toombs County High School
Friday, May 7 9:00a–9:45a CDT Trauma Surgeon Answers: Why We Buckle Up: Dr. Milton “Chip” Routt (Orthopedic Trauma Specialist)
Team Showcase (Safety Event): Norfolk High School

Week 2: May 10–14

Tuesday, May 11 11:15a–12:00p CDT Power of You(th): Emma Dugas (MADD)
Thursday, May 13 2:00p–2:45p CDT Nighttime Driving: Rachael Horvath (NSC)
Team Showcase (Nighttime Fashion Show): East Central High School
Friday, May 14 10:00a–11:00a CDT Distracted Driving:
Hang Up and Drive: Jacy Good and Steve Johnson
You in the Driver Seat App: Russell Henk (TTI)

Week 3: May 17–21

Monday, May 17 10:00a–10:45a CDT UPCARES Rail Safety: Buck Russel (Union Pacific)
Tuesday, May 18 2:00p–2:45p CDT Street Smarts: Gabriella Kolodzy (TTI)
Team Showcase (Chalk the Walk): Chattahoochee High School
Thursday, May 20 10:00a–10:45a CDT Respect the Rig:
Top 5 Risks Around Trucks: Jeff Langloss (FMCSA)
Driver Walk Around: Allen Boyd and Alfonso Lewis (ATA)
Friday, May 21 11:30a–12:15p CDT What to Do When You Get Pulled Over: El Paso Police Department
Team Showcase (Fence Cups): Burges High School

Week 4: May 24–28

Tuesday, May 25 2:00p–2:45p CDT Where Public Health and Transportation Collide: Morgan Drexler and Glendedora Dolce (NHTSA Fellows)
Wednesday, May 26 2:00p–2:45p CDT Teen Influencers:
Coping Strategies: Sofia Tovar (MADD)
Social Media/Teen Influencer: JoAnn Mynar Melendrez & Trevor Sconyers
Thursday, May 27 11:15a–12:00p CDT Taking Your Program From Peer-Driven to Peer-Led: Judith Tindall, Ph.D. (NAPPP)
Team Showcase (TDS Surveys): Deer Park High School
Friday, May 28 10:20a–11:00a CDT Collaborating With Teens for Peer-to-Peer Campaigns:
Project Celebration in Texas: Mona Lisa Didelot (TxDOT)
Teen Click It or Ticket Campaign: Ruby Martinez (TxDOT)
Team Showcase (Virtual Activities): Young Women’s Leadership Academy
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