Team Challenge

Students on Nolan Middle School’s Technology Student Association Construction Challenge Team will round out this year’s effort to identify and solve a community need as they head to national competition June 28.

For this year’s project, the team aimed to address the issue of unsafe driving practices — texting or talking on the phone while driving or not wearing your seat belt. Students knew of Nolan alumni and other students killed in automobile accidents.

Their idea? A sign saying “Be Safe. Be Aware. Be Back Tomorrow.”

After securing permission from the principal of Lakewood Ranch High School, Craig Little, and the school’s School Advisory Committee, students built the sign and installed it in February at Lakewood Ranch High School. They received permission in May to build and install another sign along Greenbrook Boulevard, at the entrance of McNeal Elementary and Nolan Middle schools, as well. It’s due to be installed this month.

“Our team is not just looking to save a life today, or tomorrow, if students learn at a young age to ‘Be Safe, Be Aware and Be Back Tomorrow’ then they will drive safer the rest of their lives and pass it on to friends, family and everyone in between,” team member Ellie Fensterle says.

The State team that constructed the first sign consisted of then-seventh graders: Kaitlyn Bush, Beau Cunningham, Ellie Fensterle, Lauren Whiddon and Amanda Boccarosa.  The national team who is continuing with the project includes a new team member, Grant Trautweiler, who will take Boccarosa’s spot.