Several Garland students from Distict 1 serve on the Garland Youth Council. The youngest is Paige Pospisil. She originally wrote the following article for The Greenskeeper, the newsletter of the The Greens of Firewheel and the Greens Estates homeowner associations. She (and her family) have consented to share it with District 1 readers as a Guest Blogger.
 
When appointing representatives to the GYC, I look for several qualities. Maybe the most important to me is the ability to communicate effectively, to write well. Numerous applications each year are not proofread before being submitted. To the round file. Others say their reason is that it would look good on their resume or college application. Same file. Honesty counts but it doesn't overcome other deficiencies. Paige urges other students to apply. I wholeheartedly endorse her suggestion and additional information is here. If you know someone interested, do encourage them...and suggest they proofread their application.
 
Paige makes it obvious that she communicates well. Our district is fortunate to have such outstanding members serving as our representatives .
 

Garland Youth Council Provides a Wonderful Experience

Paige Pospisil

Hi, my name is Paige Pospisil. I am a member of the Garland Youth Council (GYC) and a sophomore at Naaman Forest High School. I have served on the Garland Youth Council since my appointment in July 2009. This is the first year in which sophomores have been selected to serve, so I am especially honored to have been chosen.
 
The Garland Youth Council is a great group of bright, highly motivated, and community-minded high school students who bring a wealth of ideas together to help Garland teenagers learn about the effects of drugs, alcohol, and teenage driving. The entire GYC is dedicated to encouraging teens to becoming more involved in the community and being aware of driving safely. One of the Youth Council’s goals continues to be to help stop the number one killer of teenagers in America – car crashes.
 
Last October, four members of the Garland Youth Council were appointed to the 2009-10 Congressional Youth Advisory Council by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd District – Texas). Congressman Johnson selected 45 students for this honor.
 
Benefits of Teens in the Driver Seat Program
In 2007, the GYC and student representatives from all seven Garland ISD high school campuses launched the ‘Teens in the Driver Seat’ (TDS) Program in our area. This teen-led initiative emphasizes the dangers most common to young drivers: driving at night, cell phone use/texting, speeding, low seat belt use, and alcohol. The program’s goal is to make teen drivers and their passengers more aware of the behaviors that put them at greater risk of being involved in a car crash. The program utilizes the power of peer-to-peer communication to spread its message. The TDS student representatives and school sponsors attend some of our meetings. Together we develop awareness programs to help educate teens about safe driving.
 
There is some great news to report! Researchers from the Teens in the Driver Seat Center of the Texas Transportation Institute reviewed both driver behavior and crash statistics in Garland and Mesquite during two periods: from 2002 through 2005, and 2006 through 2009. While both cities experienced improvements during the study period, those in Garland were more dramatic:

• The number of teen crash fatalities in Garland dropped from 9 to 1. The number in Mesquite fell from 4 to 2.
• The percentage of all crashes that involved a teen driver in Garland dropped from 28 percent to 16 percent. In Mesquite, that percentage fell from 24 percent to 22 percent.
• In addition, Garland teens also demonstrated higher seat belt use and lower cell phone use behind the wheel than their counterparts in Mesquite.

The researchers attribute the improvements to a combination of two factors: the state’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law – which places restrictions on drivers for the first year that they hold a license – and the Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) Program, which is designed to reinforce the GDL law through peer influence. The TDS Program has been active in Garland’s seven high schools since 2006, whereas the program is not active in Mesquite.
 
While serving on the Council, I have met a lot of really fun people and especially appreciate the support of Mrs. Dorothy White and Mr. Daniel Krzyzanowski, City of Garland employees who serve as staff liaisons for the Garland Youth Council. They have great ideas for the meetings and really know how to run the Council. My extremely busy academic and extracurricular activities have resulted in me missing a few meetings. Fortunately, they are flexible and understanding about other commitments that Youth Council members have throughout the year. We meet twice a month; at one meeting, a guest speaker talks about drug abuse, balancing money, or a specific occupation. (The Garland Youth Council is very fortunate to have outside speakers to share their experience, skills, and knowledge.) During the second meeting, we plan events and discuss upcoming activities in Garland.
 
Events Conducted by the GYC
We try to present events throughout the year and offer fun things to help get kids more involved with the community. In September 2009, GYC had a booth at the Special Events Center that featured information about teenage driving and safety precautions regarding driving. GYC sang Christmas carols at a retirement home for Christmas.
 
On March 6, The Garland Youth Council hosted its annual “Teens in the Driver Seat” Day event at Firewheel Town Center. The event focused on safe driving for teens. Each student team facilitated a game or activity to help their peers understand these important safety messages. Some of those activities included a chance to wear a special set of goggles that simulated the effects of alcohol, participation in a seatbelt pledge drive, and much more.
 
On May 1, at Richland College in downtown Garland, the GYC is hosting a big career fair so families can talk with different company representatives about jobs and gain more information about a specific occupation of interest.
 
We have more events planned for the year. You can get more information about upcoming events, the Garland Youth Council, Teens in the Driver Seat Program, and other organizations at www.garlandyouthcouncil.org or by calling 972-205-2879.
 
Consider Applying for the GYC
I definitely recommend submitting an application to join the Garland Youth Council if you are going to be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior next year. It’s been a lot of fun and a great experience for me! Applications are currently being taken and should be submitted by May 14, 2010 to Mrs. Dorothy White. The process includes completing an application, getting two letters of recommendation, and writing a paper about how you could help or benefit being in this group. We will really miss all of the seniors that will be leaving next year!