Imagine every Wolverine on their phone during the end of third period, (2,403 smartphones.) This will be the daily scenario during the second week of October,

Our staff and the Just Think First committee is ready for this year’s Celebrate My Drive campaign. Last year, Wakefield High School won $25,000 for thei efforts. This year, our goal is to receive the highest ranking for a grand prize of $100,000 and a concert by The Band Perry. Assistant Principal, Dr. VivianWells, is heading the school’s efforts to reach our goal of acquiring the most votes in the nation.

“I want everybody to know this is not all about the money,” said Wells. “We have to remember the real reason for this and it’s to promise safe driving. There’s probably not a high school in the United States that has lost as many kids as we did in such a short period of time due to car accidents, so it’s a great fit for us.”

According to Nationwide, more teens die from car crashes than any other cause and the first year of driving is the most dangerous. Although we cannot prevent these tragedies, spreading awareness may be one of the best strategies to combat it.

“We’re trying to get the word out to make people pledge,” said senior and Executive President, Tyler Goldberger. “The publicity is definitely there and I believe we can win.”

The plan is for each student to have a minimum of twenty emails a day. As an incentive for students to go above and beyond in getting votes, the school is allowing students to leave one minute early for every email after the required twenty, up to eight minutes.

“Money is the secondary aspect,” said Just Think First adviser, Tony Calabria. “The first thing we want to do is raise awareness to students about driving safely. This means not texting or playing on their phones while driving. The most important thing is to pay attention to the rules of the road and be cautious.”

We are taking new approaches this year in order to maximize voting, including a Classic and Antique Car Show on October 11, a Cookies and Carpool Awareness Campaign, and an outdoor movie night on the softball field. At each of these events, students and teachers will be encouraging parents and other students to make the pledge of safe driving.

“The more the students vote and see the questions asked on the survey, the more apt to remember the rules regarding safe driving,” said chorus teacher, John Mullinax. “This is really about the students and getting them on board with this event.”

Students have told the Celebrate my Drive committee that they would like to spend the reward money on a spirit rock, a new mascot suit, growl towels, and a big Wacko Nation sign on the stadium.

“I think when it started last year there was disbelief, and we didn’t know if we could win,” said Wells. “For me, I want to go for the gold; I want something big. Celebrate my Drive is about our future, it will create a future, a better future for Wakefield students.”