Gilroy – Gilroy High School students proved their commitment to safety by coming in first in the Secure Your Future: Buckle Up Campaign’s seat belt challenge, beating 10 other high schools participating in the competition.
According to official results, GHS tied with Los Altos High School despite scoring .1 percent higher in its usage rate throughout the campaign.
“But we get to keep the trophy,” Principal Bob Bravo said.
Other area districts participating were Fremont, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga and Mountain View.
After a presentation to GHS’ leadership class by campaign representatives in late January, a handful of students took to the parking lot with clipboards to conduct an unannounced survey.
Drivers, front seat passengers and back seat passengers were observed to see if they were wearing seat belts. The initial results showed that overall, GHS students wore seat belts 92.8 percent of the time. Halfway through the campaign, after an announced survey, 99.4 percent of students wore seat belts.
In April, one last unannounced survey was conducted, and the number of students wearing them was actually higher than when the announced survey was taken.
“I think for some of our students, it’s in direct memory of Erin Kinkel,” Bravo said. “It’s a natural connection.”
Erin Kinkel was a cheerleader and gymnast at GHS who was killed when thrown from the bed of a pickup truck last August before starting her junior year.
Since her death, her family has done at a lot to champion the cause. Kinkel’s father Scott spoke to GHS students before the competition Bravo said.
“He said, ‘If you don’t win – you’ll break my heart.’ ”
Kristen Munson covers education for the Dispatch. Reach her at km*****@************ch.com or at 847-7097.
