High schoolers win scholarships for messages against distracted driving

Emily Scarlett anchoring/reporting
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The 2024 Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship winners have been announced. Only eight students from across the state have been chosen-and half of them are from West Michigan.
Brandon Hewitt is an attorney and the chief operating officer with Michigan Auto Law. He said, “Teenagers are tired of adults lecturing them on what to do and what not to do. So, the fact that these messages are coming from each other and they’re talking to each other, we think is just really, really special.”
That’s why the Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship was created.
“It’s just a great way for teenagers to get the word and to talk to each other about being safer on the roads,” said Hewitt.
Michigan Auto Law started the scholarship in 2016 in honor of Kelsey Raffaele. In 2010, the 17-year-old tragically lost her life in a cell phone-related car crash.
Hewitt told 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “What was born out of that was something great.”
Every year, high school juniors and seniors can apply for the scholarship by submitting a video, graphic or social media post.
The winners are chosen by Kelsey Raffaele’s mom, Bonnie Raffaele.
This year’s winners include Anna Held of Hamilton High School.
“I really like the dramatic effect that it brings. It brings a lot of emotion,” said Held before she explained her process. “I decided that I needed something different. So, I used AI so I could create one that was both inspiring and that stood out the most.”
“It’s one of the best graphics I’ve seen and it’s so creative,” said Hewitt. “We want to reach as many people as possible. So, something that’s attention-grabbing really gets the message out.”
Held said, “I really want people to know how important it is to stay focused on the road. Even like for a second, that could cause an accident.”
She won a $2,000 scholarship for her design and told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that she’s headed to Ferris State University this fall to study computer science.
A total of $10,000 in scholarships were awarded with each student winning between $500 and $2,000. Four of the eight scholarship winners are from West Michigan:
Best Overall Winners:
Ava Williams-Class of 2024
University High School Academy in Lathrup Village
Video Submission
Anna Held-Class of 2024
Hamilton High School in Holland
Graphic Submission
Video Winners:
Brianna Johnson-Class of 2024
Troy Athens High School in Troy
Video Submission
Madeline Kue-Class of 2024
Marshall High School in Marshall
Video Submission
Graphic Winners:
Olivia Harris-Class of 2024
Tri County High School in Howard City
Graphic Submission
Sophia Holverstott-Class of 2024
Byron Center High School in Shelbyville
Graphic Submission
Tweet (X post) Winners:
Cadence Walter-Class of 2025
Woodhaven High School in Brownstown
Tweet (X post): “Texting while driving? Oh, cell no!”
Ethan Ku-Class of 2024
Huron High School in Ann Arbor
Tweet (X post): “Don't check the reel behind the wheel.”
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