November 1, 2017, Firestone, CO – Taking a pledge to avoid distracted driving has paid off for Christy Clark-Weese. The PE teacher at Coal Ridge Middle School in the St. Vrain Valley School District in Firestone, Colorado, is the recipient the $20,000 grand prize in California Casualty’s Promise to Drive Focused sweepstakes. Clark-Weese said taking the pledge to stay focused while driving was very important. “I’m a role model for my students and even my own kids, and I need to be a good example,” she said. Clark-Weese, who has taught at Coal Ridge Middle School for 13 years, feels blessed to be recognized. “I’m not used to being thanked or appreciated; you teach because you love kids.” She heard about the initiative from an email from CEA. In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of distracted driving crashes, California Casualty teamed up with the NEA and its affiliates, asking educators across the country to “make a promise to drive focused,” complimenting the efforts of Impact Teen Drivers, a nonprofit founded and supported by California Casualty to prevent inattentive driving. Surrounded by children every day, educators are important role models who know all too well how devastating the preventable death of a young person can be. The National Safety Council believes we can all reverse the trend of preventable traffic fatalities and injuries with a coordinated effort. “We are dedicated to protecting educators,” said California Casualty Sr. Vice President Mike McCormick. “Each promise to drive focused created safer roads for them, their families and their students.” More than 76,000 teachers, administrators and educational support professionals across the country took the pledge and became eligible for the grand prize drawing for a new Ford Focus or a check for $20,000. Ms. Clark-Weese chose the cash option. She will use the funds to purchase a vehicle for her daughter who attends college out of state. Details about the Promise to Drive Focused sweepstakes can be found at http://go.calcas.com/promise?cc_medium=Blog.