A Mount Vernon High School freshman is the winner of a $10,000 prize – and another $10,000 for her school – by learning to be a safe driver.
Payten Braun was announced the winner of this year’s Lesson Learned SD program during an all-school assembly at Mt. Vernon High School where she was presented with a $10,000 cash prize. Braun also gets to choose a school program which will receive a $10,000 award as well. The Lesson Learned program is in its 9th year and is provided in partnership with the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and the South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
“The Lesson Learned campaign isn’t just about keeping teens safe today—it’s about building habits that will protect them for a lifetime. By starting young, we’re shaping a generation of responsible drivers,” said Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary, Robert Perry.
Students identified safe driving habits on the Lesson Learned SD website and were entered into the drawing. This year, there were over 5,800 entries.
“The program rewards students and their schools for participating in safe driver education,” said Steve Willard, president of the Broadcasters Association. “It’s an important message and one that can embed safe driving habits for life.”
South Dakota’s Office of Highway Safety is an agency of the state Department of Public Safety.