Three juniors from Wilton High School are gaining national recognition after being selected to present at the prestigious Lifesavers Conference last month in Baltimore, where they were honored by Impact Teen Drivers.
Hans Greene, Ryan Vermeulen and Gavin Levenherz represented their school and their student-led Video Club, sharing a powerful message about teen driver safety with a wide-ranging audience of advocates and professionals.
The WHS Video Club focuses on promoting safe driving habits among teens through social media campaigns, school-wide initiatives and community collaboration. Earlier this year, the group partnered with the Wilton Police Department to organize a 5K event aimed at raising awareness about responsible driving.
At the conference, the three students delivered an 18-minute presentation highlighting their campaign efforts. Their audience included individuals personally affected by traffic-related tragedies, as well as police officers, lawyers, nonprofit leaders, insurance representatives and others committed to improving road safety. The students’ message resonated deeply, demonstrating how youth voices can play a meaningful role in shaping safer communities.
“These boys educated and inspired attendees to drive safer, but they also reminded us of how to change the world,” Margret Greene, Hans’ mother, said. “It’s people coming together for a shared cause, figuring out who is going to do what, and meeting regularly to measure progress, that’s how real change happens. I couldn’t be more proud of the Safe Driving Team and their campaign.”
The three presenters are part of a larger group of approximately 30 students in the Video Club, all working toward the same goal: reducing dangerous driving behaviors among teens. Through collaboration with WHS School Resource Officer Chris Ventura, the local Health Department and media classes, the group has brought guest speakers and organized school-wide events to further their mission.
In addition to their parents, the students were accompanied by their teacher, Maria Breece, who was grateful the students had the opportunity, thanks to being selected by Impact Teen Drivers and getting funding from NJM Insurance that made the trip possible.
As young advocates, Greene, Vermeulen and Levenherz have already made a significant impact, but they say their work is far from over. With continued support from their school and community, the Wilton High Video Club plans to expand its efforts and keep pushing for safer roads for everyone.
