This past week California Highway Patrol’s Don’t Text and Drive Public Service Announcement (PSA), “Ghost”, won first place at the Operation CARE conference in Salt Lake City. The PSA was a joint effort with California School for the Deaf, made possible with our students, including Connor Baer, who graduated last June, and Brianna Dike, now a junior in high school, as the PSA’s main actors.
Operation CARE is about State Law Enforcement Agencies who have joined together in the endeavor of reducing human suffering on our highways, particularly during the national holidays. CARE stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort.
The Ghost PSA also received the 2014 Public Affairs and Consumer Education (PACE) Award, awarded by the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators, in the internally-produced TV commercial or PSA category. The PSA will be posted on DMV’s California statewide website. “I am stunned, but I am thrilled the film crew’s fabulous work is being recognized and that these awards will increase awareness on the national level and save lives,” said Brianna Dike
Connor Baer who is now a freshman at Gallaudet University said, “I’m humbled by these awards, but what is really important is to create awareness about the dangers of texting and driving. It was a very somber acting experience being the victim of texting and driving. It makes me realize that there are more important things in life, and the texting can wait.”
CSD high school principals, Len Gonzales and David Eberwein released a statement on the school’s behalf, “California School for the Deaf, Fremont, is very proud of our students, Brianna and Connor. Here at CSD, we value global citizenship highly and emphasize contributions back to the world community. Projects such as this are a perfect example of ‘giving back to the community’.”
Please share the Ghost PSA link to spread the Deaf youth’s important message about the dangers of texting while driving:
About the California School for the Deaf: “Learn, Experience, Thrive”—The mission of the California School for the Deaf is to provide comprehensive educational programs which create a strong foundation for future learning among graduates in an accessible learning environment that recognizes Deaf students and adults as culturally and linguistically distinct. The school will ensure that students receive a quality education with emphasis on full communication access through fluency in both American Sign Language and English. This will enable students to reach their maximum potential while preparing them to function effectively in a diverse technologically-evolving world. (www.CSDEagles.com )
