CCSD Student Wins Brand-New Car for Championing Safe Driving in Essay Contest

LAS VEGAS (March 7, 2025) – Sam & Ash Injury Law, in partnership with state and community leaders from Clark County School District, Nevada’s Zero Fatalities and Zero Teen Fatalities, Findlay Volkswagen Henderson, and WOW Carwash today announced the winners of the “Sam & Ash Safe Teen Driving Essay Contest.” The campaign launched in October of 2024 in support of National Teen Driver Safety Week with the intent to enhance awareness and address the issue of teen injuries and fatalities on the road. Local students were invited to write and submit a 500-word essay on the topic “What Safe Driving Means to Me.” More than 400 essays were submitted by local students. 

“Teens are one of the most vulnerable groups on the road,” said Sam Mirejovsky, partner at Sam & Ash Injury Law. “In fact, drivers aged 16-19 face a significantly higher risk of motor vehicle crashes than any other age group, with a fatal crash rate nearly three times that of adult drivers. In Nevada, teens represent just 5% of all drivers, yet they account for 10% of all crashes. That’s why we decided to create this contest with our community partners – to raise awareness of the issue and to empower local students to reflect on what it means to be responsible behind the wheel.”

The grand prize, a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta 1.5T Sport, was awarded to Andrea Vinluan from West Career and Technical Academy at a live event on Friday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. at her school, with her classmates cheering her on. Andrea’s essay was thoughtful and humorous, earning her top marks from the judges.

“Andrea’s essay truly stood out for its blend of insight and humor. It was beautifully written and deeply moving,” said Ash Watkins, partner at Sam & Ash Injury Law. “It’s clear that she is an exceptional young woman, both personally and academically, as a straight A-student with a 4.96 GPA. Andrea demonstrates a deep understanding of the importance of safe driving and being a good steward of her community. With her father working long hours and her mother serving the community as a nighttime nurse, Andrea has had to take on a lot of responsibility. This new car will give her the independence she needs to get to school safely, and we couldn’t be happier to award the grand prize to such a bright and hardworking young woman.”

All winners from the Sam & Ash Safe Teen Driving essay contest include:

• Grand Prize – 2024 Volkswagen Jetta 1.5T Sport
  Andrea Vinluan, West Career and Technical Academy
• First Prize – $2,500 Scholarship
  Jonathan Dayton, Foothill High School
• Second Prize – $1,500 Scholarship
  Shianne Okervall-Guiterrez, College of Southern Nevada High School, West Campus
• Third Prize – $500 Cash
  Leslie Denton, College of Southern Nevada High School, South Campus
• Fourth Prize – Unlimited Car Washes for a Year at WOW! Carwash
  Avanley Gardner, Arbor View High School

“We’re so happy to have partnered with Sam & Ash on their safe driving campaign,” said Jennifer Grube with CCSD Safe Routes to School. “Our mission is to educate and prepare young drivers for the realities they will face while on the road, which is why we’re proud to have partnered on this important initiative. We congratulate all of the students who participated in the contest.”

“We couldn’t be happier for Andrea, as she gets to drive home in her brand-new Volkswagen Jetta,” added Melisa Eichbauer, General Manager, Findlay Volkswagen Henderson. “Our vehicles’ safety features, which include Forward Collision Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring, are certainly beneficial, but the best safety feature of all is a driver who is alert, aware, and driving safely. We congratulate all of the local students who participated in the contest.”

Teen Driving Statistics:

According to Zero Teen Fatalities (ZTF):

• Drivers under 20 represent the largest demographic distracted at the time of a fatal crash.
• Using a cell phone while driving reduces brain activity by 37%.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens.
• Teens represent 5% of drivers on Nevada roadways but represent 10% of the crashes
• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), seven teenagers are killed in car crashes nearly every day
• 35% of all teen crashes are rear-end collisions, indicating that distracted driving is a major factor
• Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes than any other age group.

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About Sam & Ash Injury Law:

Founded in 2019, Sam & Ash is a personal injury law firm committed to helping accident victims throughout Nevada and California. Sam Mirejovsky and Ashley Watkins bring decades of experience and a compassionate, client-focused approach to ensure every client is fairly compensated for their injuries. More than just counsel, they serve as partners that are by your side every step of the way. They are the personal injury attorneys who do What’s Right.

For more info, visit samandashlaw.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly

Twitter) @samandashlaw.

About Clark County School District:

Established in 1956, the Clark County School District (CCSD) is the number one choice for families and students. As the nation’s fifth-largest school district, we educate 289,000 students – offering a variety of nationally recognized programs, including Magnet Schools, Career and Technical Academies, and Advanced Placement programs. CCSD educates 64 percent of the students in Nevada and works closely with community partners and business leaders to educate students to compete in a global economy.

About Zero Teen Fatalities Nevada:

Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the United States. The Zero Teen Fatalities program strives to put an end to these preventable fatalities by educating young drivers about the importance of being safe behind the wheel.

About Zero Fatalities:

Nevada’s Zero Fatalities Program is all about eliminating fatalities on Nevada roadways. Some people may think zero is an impossible goal, but when it comes to your family and friends, what other number would be acceptable? We’re aiming for zero because everyone matters. The road to zero targets key behaviors like buckling up, being pedestrian and motorcycle safe, eliminating impaired driving, focusing on the road, and stopping on red. 

To learn more about Nevada traffic safety, log on to www.zerofatalitiesnv.com.  Follow Zero Fatalities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Findlay Volkswagen Henderson:

At Findlay Volkswagen Henderson, we’re proud to be your go-to destination for all things automotive. More than a dealership, we are committed to working ‘On Purpose’ and providing valuable experiences to our guests and team members. Our dedication to spreading Peace, Love, and V-dub is evident in our promise to encourage philanthropy through our actions and be an asset to our community. We invite you to come in and discover how we’re different. We look forward to providing you with a truly memorable experience!

About WOW Carwash:

WOW Carwash is a Las Vegas-born business dedicated to providing an eco-friendly, fast, and high-quality car wash experience. As the official car wash of the Vegas Golden Knights and a community-driven business, we strive to WOW our Guests with state-of-the-art technology, exceptional Guest service, and sustainable practices that protect our environment. With multiple locations across the Las Vegas Valley, we offer various wash packages, including our best-in-class WOW MAX with Graphene, ensuring every car leaves with a showroom shine. WOW Carwash is committed to giving back to the local community through partnerships, sponsorships, and charitable initiatives. At WOW, we don’t just clean cars — we create a WOW experience.

Media Contact:

Rob Benson; MassMedia

720-409-2100, rbenson@massmediacc.com