WVHS #1 in Reduce TN Crashes & Sets New State Standard
Walker Valley High School (WVHS) has been honored for its efforts to reduce teen crashes, winning top honors in Tennessee’s Class of 2024 Reduce TN Crashes program. Facilitated by the Tennessee (THSO) Highway Safety Office, the celebration took place Friday, May 17th "You have become the standard moving forward," William "Buck" Campbell, THSO Statewide Training Coordinator, told WVHS students. To achieve gold status, schools needed 3,000 points. WVHS nearly doubled the previous record of 25,400 points by ending the year with 49,700 points.
Principal Dr. Candice Belt noted "seatbelt selfies" were popular among students. The school's dedication to this cause is connected to the loss of science teacher Brittany Dillard, who, along with her husband, Dustin, was killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Day 2022. The crash also critically injured their three boys. By God’s grace, their sons survived.
In memory of Dustin and Brittany, The 24/7 Movement was established to combat impaired driving. Executive Director Randy Bonner attended the May 17th event, praising WVHS for carrying on Brittany's legacy. She and fellow teacher Craig Long discussed a new safe driving project they were developing in an uncovered video interview three weeks before the crash. WVHS students have been very active in The 24/7 Movement.
Students proudly wore Brittany's Kids T-shirts, a club promoting safe driving. Principal Belt stressed the school's commitment: "Our students are so active, so involved and so on the frontlines of what is the next thing that we can do to make a difference. That is their heart."
On Tuesday, April 2, Bradley Central High School (BCHS) juniors and seniors viewed an original film titled “They Should Be Here” along with a live Mock Crash Event. The film portrayed a glimpse into the lives of those involved in the Mock Crash. The Mock Crash featured a realistic and coordinated response from emergency personnel on school grounds, with Bradley drama students taking on the roles of writers, actors, and crash victims. With the involvement of her students, BCHS Director of Theater Arts Lindsey Bell did an incredible job leading the project.
The 24/7 Movement partnered with BCHS to create a highquality and impactful video production of the Mock Crash event. The project aims to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths among young drivers by visually demonstrating the real-life consequences of impaired or distracted driving. What makes this year's event particularly significant is The 24/7 Movement's involvement with Revma Media, elevating the production to serve as a resource tool for high schools statewide and potentially nationally.
Towards the end, the dramatization directly ties to the real-life tragedy the Dillard family experienced on Christmas Day 2022. which was the inspiration for “They Should Be Here.”
The Bradley County Sheriff’s Department, Bradley County Fire-Rescue, Bradley County EMS, LifeForce, and the Bradley County medical examiner were all involved in the project.
DUI Awareness Safe Driving Program Comes to Cleveland & Bradley
Tennessee Highway Safety Office, the 24/7 Movement funded Side by Sides, a 7x16 trailer, impairment goggles, safety cones, and more to CHS and BCHS. This support allows both schools to join WVHS in beginning a Safe Driving Program to educate students on the dangers of impaired & distracted driving.
The 24/7 Movement conducted our first solo High School Assemblies in May at Copper Basin HS & at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, sharing its story and educating young people about the dangers of driving impaired and distracted. More than 75 percent of students took the “Safe Driving” Pledge & made the “I Will Not Be Silent” Promise.
For more information, contact Randy Bonner at 423.240.8620 or randy@the247movement.org
Fast Facts
· From 2021 - 2023 in Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Meigs, Polk & Rhea Counties there were a total of:
> 1,812 Alcohol Impaired Driving Crashes Resulting in 69 Fatalities
> 5,697 Distracted Driving Crashes
> 8,623 Teen Driving Crashes
Texting while driving is considered a “primary” offense in Tennessee, meaning law enforcement officers can pull you over without having to witness any other violation if they see you texting.
Sources: Crash Data from THSO
If you would like to support our 501c3 nonprofit organization, please send your check to The 24/7 Movement, 4450 Georgetown Rd. NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. You can also donate online by scanning our QR code or at the247movement.org website Donations are tax deductible as allowed by the law.
The 24/7 Movement has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to the following seven 2024 high school graduates in memory of Dustin and Brittany Dillard. Each of our winners is a well-rounded student who wrote an impactful and moving "Choices Matter" essay and has demonstrated a servant’s heart. We had very impressive applicants from all of our local high schools, and we wish all of you success in life as you move forward.
Bradley Central HS
Jackson Fox & Kimberly Mason
(pictured w/Randy Bonner & Terri Dillard)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The 24/7 Movement encourages the participation of volunteers who support our mission. If you are interested in helping us make a positive impact…. Email randy@the247movement.org for info.
UPCOMING EVENTS Check events you are interested in helping with & circle day(s)
Walker Valley HS
Kennedy Smith & Brady Fox
(pictured w/parents Andy & Christy Smith, Ashley Fox and Matt & Terri Dillard)
o Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser REVOLVE, Cleveland, TN June 21, 4pm-9pm
o Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser REVOLVE, Cleveland, TN June 22, 8am-8pm
Cleveland HS
Tripp Hall & Nateayunna Carter
(pictured w/Tanner, Matt & Terri Dillard)
o Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser REVOLVE, Cleveland, TN June 23, 1pm-5pm
o T-shirt Folding Pizza Party - Elkmont Baptist Church, Aug. 13, 6pm-8:30pm
o FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS at area HS Football Games, Aug.-Oct. TBA
o Battle of the Food Trucks Festival - Camp Jordan, Aug. 31, 10am-7pm, Sept. 1, 1pm-5pm
o Fall Market - Greenway Pavilion Sept. 7,10am -5pm & Sept. 8, 1pm-4pm
o Bacon Festival - Camp Jordan, Sept. 21, 11am-7pm & Sept. 22, 1pm-5pm
o Child Car Seat Safety Day - FBC Cleveland, Sept. 28, 9am-1pm
o Fried Pickle Festival -N. Georgia Fairgrounds Dalton, GA, Oct. 5, 10am-5pm & Oct. 6, 1-4pm
o Hocus Pocus Fall Market - Camp Jordan Arena, Oct. 12, 10am-5pm, Oct. 13, 1pm-4pm
o Set-up for The 24/7 Movement Annual Banquet - Westmore Church of God Oct. 17, 10am-4pm
Polk County HS
Riley Stanfield
(pictured w/Preston & Matt Dillard)
o Chattanooga Apple Festival - Camp Jordan, Oct. 19, 10am-6pm & Oct. 20, 1pm-5pm
o Christmas Village Holiday Market - Camp Jordan, Nov. 16, 10am-5pm, Nov.17, 1pm-4pm
o Merry Christmas Market - Catoosa Colonnade Ringgold, Nov. 23, 10am-6pm & Nov. 24, 1pm-4pm
o Christmas Tree Fundraiser “Buy a Tree, Change a Life”, late Nov./early Dec. TBA
o The Christmas Wrap - Bradley Square Mall, Dec. 7, 10am-5pm