Senior Jayci Shepard of Bennington High School was excited coming into the new school year. Shepard is a tennis player for Bennington and someone who is very involved in school activities. Shepard has taken on a leadership role with the SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) program at Bennington High School as well as being a member of the Scholar’s Bowl, National Honor Society, 4-H Club and being active in her adult and youth group worship team at church.

“I started the SAFE program at the beginning of my junior year,” said Shepard. “I enjoy being able to participate in the activities we hold to encourage driving safety with the people and my friends who are also in the program.”

Shepard said she felt it was important for her peers to understand why their safety should be the upmost concern when getting in an automobile. SAFE is a teen-run, peer-to-peer program focusing on increasing teen restraint compliance through education, positive rewards and enforcement. It is designed to bring awareness to the importance of wearing a seatbelt, therefore reducing the number of motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities among Kansas teens.

“Accidents can happen at any point of driving, and with so many of my peers learning and being practically new to driving, I think safety on the road and therefore seatbelt use, is very important for their own health,” said Shepard.

On the tennis court, Shepard was excited to return to action after missing last season due to the pandemic. This season she competed and represented Bennington High School even though they co-op with another school.

“I am a singles tennis player, and I have played during my junior and senior year. Bennington has had a co-op with Sacred Heart’s girl’s tennis for those two years,” said Shepard. “It was a very fun experience to be on the team and play in meets.”

Her future plans include attending college and working towards her degree.

“I plan to attend Kansas State University and major in mathematics,” said Shepard.