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Alaila Brooks and Alicia Lawrence of Randolph-Henry High School were two of 14 high school students from across the commonwealth who were recently selected to serve on Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety’s (YOVASO) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for the 2020-2021 school year.

The students were selected based on information submitted on a three-part application process that included personal information, essay questions, and a letter of recommendation. The students who were selected are passionate about highway safety and the well-being of their peers. They are leaders in their high schools who have been selected to work with YOVASO on a statewide level to bring about positive changes in driver and passenger safety.

YAC students are responsible for developing and delivering programs and messages that will engage their peers and influence them to be safer drivers and passengers. As youth advisors, the members keep YOVASO youth-led and are an important part of the program’s mission. This year the council will focus on increasing seat belt use among teens and speed prevention.

YOVASO is Virginia’s Peer-to-Peer Education and Prevention Program for Teen Driver and Passenger Safety and is a program of the Virginia State Police. YOVASO is funded by a grant from the Virginia DMV and membership is open and free for all Virginia high schools, middle schools, and youth groups. YOVASO currently has 78 active members.