BURRILLVILLE – A 2021 graduate from Burrillville High School who has served as a local youth leader in drug and alcohol prevention efforts was recently recognized by a statewide organization that encourages healthy lifestyle choices.
Samantha Mansolf was the winner of a bumper sticker contest put on by Youth Driven at their 2021 summit.
A year round traffic safety and leadership program led by the Rhode Island Student Assistance Services with support from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Youth Driven begins each year with the educational summer summit. Participants from schools across the state create an action plan at the event to encourage youth driver safety and substance use prevention among their peers for each upcoming school year.
Mansolf was one five students from Burrillville to attend the 2021 event, held August 3 through 5. She had previously attended the 2019 conference, but the event was cancelled in 2020.
In 2021, Mansolf served as a “student leader,” at the summit, accompanying her younger peers from town, Victoria Lamontagne, Hannah Silvia, Mary Chenot and Kaitlyn Fleming.
On Friday, Sept. 29 the RI Regional Coalitions announced that her design, depicting bees in their travels with the phrase “Arrive to the Hive Don’t Drink & Drive,” was the winner of the bumper sticker contest. And they recognized the Bronco graduate’s contributions to substance abuse prevention over the past seven years.
“The design she created was cute and gave a catchy message which reminds people not to drink and drive,” noted the announcement. “A big shoutout to Sam for a great bumper sticker idea, and for being involved within the prevention world.”
Mansolf first joined SADD as a 6th grade student, a club she participated in throughout middle school and high school. With Youth Driven, she participated in multiple events and programs, including serving as a student leader in August.
She was also one of the two Burrillville students to receive $1,000 scholarship from the Burrillville Prevention Action Coalition thanks to funds raised during last year’s Bronco 5K. Signups are now underway for this year’s event, to be held on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. at Burrillville High School. Runners and walkers can register at https://runsignup.com/Race/RI/Harrisville/BurrillvilleBronco5k.
Mansolf is now a freshman at Salve Regina University in Newport majoring in studio art with a concentration in graphic design and multimedia.
“We are so proud of you Sam,” noted Youth Driven of the contest winner. “Continue to lead by example and good luck in college.”
