The Andalusia High School Peer Helpers held its 3rd annual “Fun on the Lawn” day on the baseball field Wednesday afternoon as part of the National Safe Driving Awareness Campaign week.
“This is the third year that we have done this,” AHS Peer Helpers adviser Charlotte Spurlin said. “It’s kind of a fun little thing for the kids during safe driving awareness week. It gives them fun things to associate safe driving with.”

Spurlin said that the support this year has really helped the event.
“We are so thankful for all of the support that we have had this year,” Spurlin said. “The National Guard brought a gladiator pit for the kids to ‘Knock out unsafe driving habits,’ and they brought a tent that we have corn hole sets put to ‘Take aim at driving safe.’”
The Covington County Sheriff’s Department brought beer goggles for the students to wear and then attempt to walk a straight line or throw a ball to illustrate the dangers of drinking and driving.

Students also had a chance to win prizes at the different stations.
“Sharon Smith of State Farm donated prizes for us to give away to winners at each station,” Spurlin said. “The students have really enjoyed it, and it’s becoming kind of a tradition at Andalusia High School. We just see it as a fun way to emphasize not only being safe behind the wheel, but also as the passenger.”
Spurlin said that the members of the Peer Helpers group have worn necklaces this week with statistics of teen car accidents to help raise awareness.
“It’s not just about being safe behind the wheel,” Spurlin said. “A lot people don’t realize that the No. 1 cause of teen car crashes isn’t drinking and driving or texting and driving, it’s passengers. We want them to also be aware when they are in the passenger seat.”
As part of Nation Safe Driving Week, the high school will host a video competition where students create their own safe driving videos. The high school students will get a chance to vote for who wins the $250 top-prize. The Covington County District Attorney’s Office donated the money for the first place prize. There will also be a $100 second place prize donated by a donor who wished to remain anonymous.
AHS Peer Helpers will also hold a contest Saturday for high school students. Two buses will be parked in the stadium parking lot at the high school and participates must keep two hands and two eyes on a bus for as long as they can. The student who last the longest will win $250 and second place will win $100.
“We are also holding our membership drive this week Peer Helpers,” Spurlin said. “Any students that are looking to join are welcome to come see me in the library.”