THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510200170
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
WHILE CLASSWORK has already paid off for some academically gifted students at Kempsville Middle School, a group - known as the Lifesavers - continues to bathe in the benefits.
Plaques and a trophy for state and international community problem-solving competitions aren't the only awards the students have earned. They've also earned a lot of recognition in connection with their biggest accomplishment yet - establishing the city's bicycle helmet law, which was a direct result of their hard work.
The Lifesavers were recently selected to receive the Governor's Transportation Safety Award and the National Safety Council Award of Merit for their continued dedication to bicycle safety.
``I'm proud of our work,'' said Christie Padgett, 13. ``Now adults know we can make a difference in our community.''
Three students traveled to Virginia Military Institute in Lexington earlier this month to accept the governor's award. Although other groups received similar recognition, the students said they were the only kids there.
The national award, which recognizes outstanding contributions toward the prevention of accidents and promotion of safety, will be presented next month in Dallas, Texas. Of the 150 entries, the Lifesavers were named one of 17 merit award winners.
All this didn't just happen overnight, however. The Lifesavers have invested their share of time, and then some.
The idea to lobby for the helmet law - which states that bicyclists 14 and under in Virginia Beach must wear protective helmets within city limits - was born during a soccer tournament last fall. Classmates T. Jack Bagby and Chris Bagley noticed that players on an opposing team wore patches on their jerseys, in memory of a teammate who had died in a bicycle accident.
He was hit by a car and wasn't wearing a helmet. ``That kind of hit home,'' Bagby said.
The students later talked about their experience with the group and their sponsor, gifted education resource teacher Carolyn Stamm, and collectively they decided to turn the issue into a project.
Through research, students found that nationally around 400,000 children are injured and 300 are killed in bicycle-related accidents every year. A large percentage of these involved preventable head injuries.
After discovering that only five percent of all school-age bikers were using helmets, the students stopped researching and started acting.
``It made me mad because a lot of kids wouldn't have been hurt if they would have been wearing helmets,'' said Emily Mead, 13.
In January, the students persuaded City Council to pass a resolution asking the General Assembly to allow the city to adopt a bicycle helmet law. Del. Leo C. Wardrup, a Virginia Beach Republican, took up the cause in Richmond and the proposal was folded in with legislation that would allow all state localities to adopt bike helmet ordinances if they chose.
The governor passed and signed both bills in one session.
In the spring, the Lifesavers worked on promoting bicycle safety around town, performing skits at elementary schools and co-sponsoring the bike race known as the ``Champion Challenge,'' where they passed out 500 free helmets, performed bike inspections and manned a safety course.
In June, the Lifesavers went back to City Council to discuss enacting the law locally. The council voted unanimously to adopt the bike helmet ordinance, which went into effect July 1.
``I don't think we expected to do this,'' said Jennifer Ashley, 13. ``It just happened that way.''
But Stamm said the students deserve the recognition and said their work will continue to bring rewards.
``I'm really proud of their accomplishments,'' she added. ``They have a feeling they can do anything they want and set really high goals. I think that's terrific.'' ILLUSTRATION: ``They (the students) have a feeling they can do anything they
want and set really high goals. I think that's terrific,'' said
Carolyn Stamm, the group's sponsor and a gifted education resource
teacher.
The Kempsville Middle School Lifesavers were recently selected to
receive the Governor's Transportation Safety Award and the National
Safety Council Award of Merit for their continued dedication to
bicycle safety. They are:
back row from left): Jhawn Jones, T. Jack Bagby, Darek Jones, Justin
Bernick and Annabel Oakes;
middle row) Laura Pence, Kelly Tellefsen, Adrian George, Emily Mead,
Michelle Kravitz and Lara McBride;
front row) Lindsey Jennings, Christie Padgett, Jennifer Ashley,
Ashley Faust and Mike Frasca.
Not pictured are James McGrath, John Westdyke and Robert Potter.
Photos by HOLLY WESTER
by CNB