Pretty in pink -- JVS staffers from left: Kim Wooley, Jane Murphy, Sandy Walker, Jennifer Karbler and Pam Mitchell.

November 18, 2009 -- Armed with the knowledge that over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, the Lorain County JVS supported an initiative to increase awareness of this disease and raise money for research efforts.

JVS English teacher Sandy Walker coordinated the fundraising event. "The students and staff were extremely generous," stated Walker. "Staff members donated $5.00 to wear jeans on the Lee National Denim Day and students donated $1 and wore pink instead of their school uniforms that day."

Over $800 was collected and will be donated to the Lee National Denim Day Foundation to support breast cancer research, outreach, and education.

"Cancer knows no boundaries," continued Walker. "We want everyone in our school to be knowledgeable about the early detection signs of breast cancer and aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle."

Pictured L-R: Greg Long (AM), Jessica Twydell (BR) and Tyler Northeim (FI)

November 17, 2009 -- The Lorain County JVS, in cooperation with the Safety and Education Department of AAA East Central and AAA Insurance, hosted the 1st Annual Lorain County Young Driver Competition recently. This first local competition of its kind in northeast Ohio was held to offer students an opportunity to be rewarded for exhibiting positive driving behaviors.

Each high school in Lorain County was invited to send two of their 'top drivers.' These students needed to have a valid driver's license for a minimum of one year, have a crash-free/ticket-free driving record and be a positive representative of their school and community. The top three finishers were awarded cash prizes of $500, $250 and $100 respectively.

Besides a low-speed maneuvering obstacle course with tight turns and parallel parking, the competition included a written test on Ohio driving laws plus a test gauging how many obstacles or potential threats the students remembered from glancing at slides of complex road conditions.

Lt. Travis Hughes, who heads the Elyria post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement officers served as judges. Hughes said the incentive of winning cash from AAA made the competition fun and was thrilled to see teens being recognized for something positive.

According to AAA, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 20. In Ohio, 1013 people were killed between 1998 and 2007 in crashes involving drivers age 15 to 17.

Lt. Hughes commented that, "All drivers, especially inexperienced drivers, are susceptible to distractions from other passengers and things like cell phones."