New Castle Jr./Sr. High School is one of 64 community organizations to receive a service-learning, youth-led grant across the United States and Canada. A formal check presentation took place at New Castle High School on Friday, September 16th at 8:00 a.m. and again during the pre-game activities of the football game that evening.

“New Castle’s program, called Operation Drive Safe, is an on-going student-created and student-led service-learning project addressing teen driver safety issues (seat belt use, obeying the laws, distracted driving and drinking and driving/underage drinking). Students utilize modern forms of social media to educate and communicate important messages to school districts in surrounding communities so they can all work together to reduce accidents. The school is providing each school with a "how to" binder to start their own campaigns that will include cross-curriculum activities for every department and will reach elementary students to adults. New Castle’s campaign also includes a "Flat Stanley" campaign, a book of stories and poems, a DVD of real incidents, Teen Driver Safety Week activities, a safety summit, mock accident and guest speakers,” said Susan Liao, Youth Advisory Board member who represents Pennsylvania and the Northeast Zone.