DECA students rally to end texting, driving

The DECA chapter at West Valley High School has kicked off an awareness campaign to end texting and driving.

Raising Awareness 4 Brandy (RAB) reminds students to leave their phones alone while they are driving with a bright orange thumb band, and students in the DECA program have given a video presentation during an assembly, handed out information at a booth at a football game, produced YouTube videos, spoken during driver education classes and posted information on Facebook.

The campaign is named for a graduate of West Valley who was severely injured in a texting and driving accident.

“The message is so important that DECA will continue the campaign throughout the school year,” wrote student Danielle Soper. “The calendar is full of special events, promotions and reminders for staff, students, parents and community members. The goal is to reach as many people as possible in our school and community about the dangers of texting and driving.”

The campaign is based on “Remember Alex Brown,” a national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. In Washington state, it is illegal to text and drive.