Pine Tree High School students Channing, Cohen, and Douglas have earned top honors in the 19th Annual Driving the Message Contest, a national competition hosted by Teens in the Driver Seat in partnership with the National Road Safety Foundation.
After earning 2nd place in a previous contest, the trio elevated their performance this semester, capturing 1st place with their impactful video, “Be a Leader, Not a Speeder.” Their submission stood out among nearly 200 entries representing 10 states, highlighting both their creativity and ability to communicate an important message to their peers.
The Driving the Message Contest challenges students to create public service announcements that promote safe driving habits among teens. Through this competition, students apply real-world skills in video production, storytelling, and audience engagement while addressing critical issues that impact their generation.
As a result of their first-place finish, the students earned $1,500 for Pine Tree High School and the unique opportunity to have their video professionally re-produced by a multi Emmy Award-winning production team later this month.
The project has already moved into its next phase, with students participating in a kickoff conference call alongside Alan Weiss Productions, the National Road Safety Foundation, and the Teens in the Driver Seat leadership team. This experience provides valuable industry exposure and insight into professional media production.
This achievement reflects the continued strength of Pine Tree High School’s Career and Technical Education programs, particularly in Audio/Video Production, where students are equipped with the technical skills and creative confidence to compete and succeed at a national level.
