Gilroy – With Erin Kinkel’s memorial sign in the background, officers from the California Highway Patrol and Gilroy Police department presented GHS students Wednesday morning with a first place plaque for winning the Secure Your Future: Buckle Up Campaign’s seat belt challenge.
The competition is designed to promote increased seat belt use among high school students.
For many, the competition was a way to honor the memory of Erin Kinkel, a GHS cheerleader and gymnast who was killed when thrown from the bed of a pickup truck last August before the start of her junior year.
In late January, Kinkel’s father Scott and School Resource Officer Mike Terasaki approached GHS’ leadership class proposing that the school participate in the competition. Prior to the start of the competition, Kinkel spoke to GHS students encouraging them to win.
“We all thought it was something we needed to do for Erin,” said Associated Student Body president Joel Tovar. “We knew we would win,” he said nodding towards the photo of Erin.
GHS competed against 10 other high schools including Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, Fremont and Mountain View. Officially, GHS tied with Los Altos High School, however, GHS scored .1 percent higher in its usage rate.
GHS brought home a $300 prize, which Tovar indicated will go towards a scholarship, and a plaque commemorating their win.
The competition began in February and lasted three months. During the course of the competition, nine GHS students from the leadership class took to the parking lot armed with clipboards to survey drivers and passengers. Inspections were done at random and included staff, students and parents.
Officer Terasaki noted that the individuals often observed driving without seat belts were adults or parents – not students.
Unannounced surveys found that more than 99 percent of students wore theirs halfway through the campaign.
“I’m really proud of you,” Terasaki told students.
Next year, his rotation as the Gilroy Unified School District’s resource officer ends. He encouraged them to continue their success in the future.
“I want to read about you guys – that you made first place again,” he said pointing to the plaque. “This needs to stay in Gilroy.”
