NEW HOPE, PA —For the third straight year, New Hope-Solebury High School is the overall winner of the Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge presented by NJM Insurance Group.
New Hope-Solebury student drivers had the highest overall seatbelt use (98.8 percent) over 20 other Bucks County high schools that participated in the challenge while Conwell-Egan Catholic High School achieved the greatest percentage increase in seatbelt use over all schools at 3.5 percent (92.6 percent in fall to 96.1 percent in spring).
New Hope-Solebury High School, which was also the overall winner in 2010-11, 2015-16, 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2023-24, 2024-25 was presented with a $500 cash grant and perpetual trophy plaque at a school assembly on June 8.
The cash prize is donated by TMA Bucks and is encouraged to be used by the school for safety-related purposes.
“Congratulations to New Hope-Solebury students for their extraordinary achievement in winning the Seatbelt Challenge for three consecutive years,” said TMA Bucks executive director Stephen J. Noll. “This remarkable streak highlights not only their creativity and commitment, but also the power of consistency in building life-saving habits. By turning safety into a sustained priority, this school community has set a new standard for excellence in our Seatbelt Challenge, proving year after year that smart choices truly can save lives.”
The school group that promoted the 19th Annual Seatbelt Challenge throughout the entire school year were student government leaders Kayla Fennell, Joe Rickard, Dillon DeMeo, Nora Redfield, Olivia Conte, Quinn Bridge, Louise Knapp, and Devin Hable. The students were under the direction of teacher Jon Gonsiewski.
"To win the regional Seatbelt Challenge just once takes incredible dedication to our community's safety, but to pull off a historic three-peat is nothing short of legendary,” said New Hope-Solebury High School Principal Patrick Sasse. “By securing this title for the third consecutive year, our students have entered elite territory. You’ve echoed the relentless drive of the 1991–1993 Chicago Bulls and the flawless execution of the 1998–2000 New York Yankees. Just like those iconic dynasties, the New Hope-Solebury High School students have proven that consistency, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence always win the day. Congratulations, Lions! You continue to make us proud, keep each other safe, and set the gold standard for driving safety."
Teacher Drew Giorgi’s video productions students also helped promote the challenge at New Hope-Solebury by creating a video for the Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge powered by Comcast portion of the challenge and screening them for all students.
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School students under the direction of Angelia Micalizzi received a cash grant and plaque as well for their accomplishment in May.
"At Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, the safety and well-being of our students remains a top priority,” said Conwell-Egan Catholic Principal Josh Bower. “We are deeply grateful for our partnership with TMA Bucks and NJM Insurance Group in promoting seatbelt safety awareness among young drivers. Through initiatives such as the Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge, TMA Bucks and NJM continues to make a meaningful impact by educating students on responsible driving habits and the life-saving importance of wearing a seatbelt every time they enter a vehicle. Together, we are helping to create safer roads, stronger communities, and a culture of responsibility for our students and their families. We're happy to hear that our students are taking seatbelt safety seriously and we're fortunate, as is our community, that CEC students have significantly increased their use of seatbelts through this program and spreading awareness."
In fall 2025, baseline surveys on seatbelt usage by student drivers were conducted at high schools throughout the county without the knowledge of the student body or administration in order to ensure the most accurate data sampling. All schools were then challenged to raise seatbelt usage and participate in the Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge. Various student groups then at each participating school promote the Seatbelt Challenge to all students throughout the school year in a variety of creative ways. Follow-up surveys took place unannounced in April and May and the winning schools were decided.
NJM Insurance Group was the presenting sponsor this year with supporting sponsorships coming from AAA Mid-Atlantic, Automotive Training Center, Bucks County Community College, Jefferson Bucks Hospital, Bowman, Stark & Stark, Rothman Orthopedics, and Visit Bucks County.
“The TMA Bucks Seatbelt Challenge reinforces the important message that the simple act of buckling up can make a life-saving difference in a crash,” said Erica Rosso, NJM Consumer Safety Partnership and Program Supervisor. “NJM is proud to once again partner with TMA Bucks to increase awareness and encourage safe driving habits. We extend our congratulations to this year’s winners.”
TMA Bucks also announced recently that William Tennent High School was voted the winner of this year’s Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge powered by Comcast. Tennent was voted the winner over nine other Bucks County high schools for its video. Click here to watch the video.
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