[caption id="attachment_59422" align="alignleft" width="250"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-59422" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2021/12/PCHS-250x300.png" alt="" width="250" height="300" /> <br />Patrick County High School sophomore Matthew Allen was selected as the statewide winner of the 2021 Jingle Your Way to a Safe Holiday Jingle Contest. Allen is pictured performing the video.[/caption] Matthew Allen, a 10th grade student at Patrick County High School, is the statewide winner of the 2021 Jingle Your Way to a Safe Holiday Jingle Contest. In a video, posted at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxDWK61_sw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxDWK61_sw</a>, Allen, who is seated in a vehicle and wearing a Santa hat, performs the jingle: “Don’t worry, the car is not moving I am safe and sound. Keep your seatbelt on at all times so you’ll stay above the ground. If you drive good, then it’s time to drive better. Like Santa, you’re sure gonna matter no matter the weather. When you’re worried about being naughty or nice, make sure to always check for any black ice. So much Christmas joy that you know you wanna burst, but instead of Santa, make sure safety comes first. Don’t drive with your phone ‘cause it’s just a distraction. You gotta click it or ticket - you gotta be proactive. Lastly, I’ma say, Merry Christmas, y’all. Thanks for listening, to one and all.” Allen’s jingle will be shared on social media throughout Christmas Day to remind students to drive and celebrate safely. The two runners up, Jack Sebring who won second and Ty Poindexter who won third, as well as other jingle entries will be shared on social media throughout the week. The contest was part of YOVASO’s Jingle Your Way to a Safe Holiday campaign and challenged students, ages 11-20, to create a safe driving jingle (short song or tune) to promote buckling up, as well as celebrating and driving safely throughout the holidays. A judging panel selected the top six jingles for public voting December 13-16, and from there it was up to Virginia. Prizes sponsored by State Farm® will be awarded to the top three jingles with the most votes as follows: <ul> <li>Allen - $500</li> <li>Sebring, a 10th grade student at Poquoson High School in Poquoson City - $200</li> <li>Poindexter, a 10th grade student at Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford County - $100</li> </ul> “The jingle competition is a fun and creative way for teens to remind each other to buckle up and drive safely during this high-risk period,” said Mary King, YOVASO Program Manager. “We know youth and teens love music and these safe driving jingles are a great way to reach youth statewide.” YOVASO is Virginia's Peer-to-Peer Education and Prevention Program for Young Driver and Passenger Safety and is a program of the Virginia State Police. Membership in YOVASO is free and open to all Virginia high schools, middle schools, and youth groups. Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), the Virginia State Police (VSP), the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and State Farm congratulate all of the contest participants on a job well done.
