KLAS News: Boulder City Teen Wins Brand-New Car in 2025 Safe Teen Driving Essay Contest by Sam & Ash Injury Law
A Boulder City High School senior is cruising into the new year with a wonderful surprise: a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta 1.5T Sport, won as the grand prize in the Sam & Ash Injury Law annual Safe Teen Driving Essay Contest.
The contest challenged Nevada students aged 16–22 to submit essays on “What Safe Driving Means to Me.” With hundreds of entries received, judges selected River Schenk’s deeply personal submission as the top prize winner. During a special school assembly, River was presented with the keys to his new car.
River’s essay drew from a heartbreaking real-life experience — the loss of a childhood friend in a school zone accident, the very tragedy that spurred the creation of Rex’s Law in 2023 to strengthen penalties for reckless driving.
Ash Watkins, partner at Sam & Ash Injury Law, shared: “River’s story truly captures why we run this contest. Turning personal pain into a powerful call for safer roads is exactly what inspires change among young drivers.”
River reacted with excitement: “I can’t believe I’m actually taking home a new car. The topic is close to my heart, and I hoped sharing my story would encourage others to drive responsibly. I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”
Additional winners include Jazmin Castro from UNLV, who secured a $5,000 scholarship, and Zaavie Broadbent from the College of Southern Nevada, receiving $1,000 plus a 13.5” MacBook Air.
The initiative addresses a pressing concern: teen drivers, though only 5% of Nevada’s licensed motorists, are involved in 10% of crashes. Drivers under 20 also represent the largest group distracted in fatal incidents, per Zero Fatalities data.
Sam & Ash extends their deepest thanks to key partners Findlay Volkswagen, Zero Fatalities, Nevada Donor Network, Clark County School District, and Silver State Schools Credit Union for helping make these meaningful prizes possible.
Learn more about the Safe Teen Driving Essay Contest and road safety tips at samandashlaw.com/safe-teen-driving.
