Discover Parenting 2020 Student Project Awards
Take a look at the following PowerPoint presentation of 2020 USEP-OHIO Discover Parenting Project entrants.
Our 2020 Discover Parenting Exhibit was impacted by the Pandemic! Extraordinary Students and teachers carried on and sent us a variety of wonderful photos. Where there was a tie between photos, we gave both entrants awards. We gave special honor to Coronavirus content, and added an additional category of awards, in recognition of how critical it was to learn about the pandemic together! We thank Brian Hamman and Kenny McKinley from Ohio D.A.S. for hosting the statewide photo exhibit November through March at the Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, ensuring many Ohio legislators and others would view it!
The categories for 2020 Included the Original Road and Home Safety; Special Topics – Human Trafficking; Opioid/Substance Abuse; Safe at School/Community; Safe in a New Land; Coronavirus; and Special Mention – Recognition of unique photographs with important or powerful messages.
USEP-OHIO Discover Parenting Discussion Points for Winning Photos 2020
Original Category - Road and Home Safety
First Place Winner
"Seatbelt Safety While Driving"
Dylan Harper, Mansfield, OH
Benjamin Logan High School. Bellefontaine, OH
Teacher: Lois Stoll
This wonderful photo from Dylan reminds drivers of all ages of the many joys of becoming an independent driver, able to drive brothers and sisters, help with family events and errands, and just get out on the road with friends and family. Through the years since licensing and driver education was developed, adolescents have increased their skills with the help of driver education in schools and the community. Auto manufacturers have developed safety devices to assist the driver and limit the dangers! The science has taught us that the highest risks for drivers and passengers alike, is a beginning driver transporting others and driving at night. The most important influence on a young driver is their parent! This driver and her passenger are properly belted, observant of the law and enjoying the All-American freedom of becoming responsible drivers, observing the laws that keep us safe on America’s roadways.
First Place Winner
"Don’t Clown Around…Buckle That Baby Up!"
Macy Wiktorowski, Anna, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
This strikingly adorable photo is a great reminder that children of all ages need restraints designed to keep them safe in the car. In Ohio, Child restraint is required! Children 4 years or under 40 pounds must be in a safety seat; youngsters 4-7 years, over 40 pounds and under 4’9” tall must be in a booster seat. An adult safety belt is permissible for 8-14 year olds. Maximum fine for the first offense is $75.00. Becoming adept at correctly seating children in seats that match their size and age saves lives and keeps babies and young children safe from brain injury and other devastating outcomes. Parents must be sure that grandparents and others who care for their child have adequate and proper restraints any time their children will be driven by others!
Second Place Winner
"Don’t Tempt Fate, That Text Can Wait"
Carey White, Maplewood, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher – Brenda Wuebker
Carey has chosen Distracted Driving while texting as her photo topic. In 2019, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reported 3,142 deaths in motor vehicle crashes due to distracted driving. Sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for approximately 5 seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for death and injury on the roadway. We can all play a part in the fight to save lives by ending texting and other distracted driving. This discussion opens good exchange and learning among teens and their communities regarding legal bans for texting and cell phone use. Many secondary students in Ohio schools are participating in programs to educate and inform drivers of all ages of the critical dangers of driving while texting to help keep their friends alive!
Third Place Winner
"Seriously…You Wouldn’t Drive Off Without Buckling Me in First?”
Hailey Carmelo, Salem, OH
Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Canfield, OH
Teacher: Julie Pagnotta
The serious expression on this young child’s face lends credibility to Hailey’s caption as we imagine her questioning the driver. But assured that instead she may be saying, “You have looked after my needs in many ways. I have a drink to stay hydrated, a comfortable seat near a window I may look out of, and I know you would never drive off without buckling me in!”
Honorable Mention
"Kitchen Safety-Loving Hands Teach Me How to be Safe"
Garrett Henry, Middleburg, OH
Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine, OH
Teacher: Lois Stoll
How wonderful to see parents of today teaching kids of all ages to be safe and proficient in the home and kitchen! Skills that last a lifetime and translate into good health, good habits and even career paths are reflected in Garrett’s photo. We applaud the many Ohio parents who have stepped up to increase opportunities to learn the skills of good nutrition and food safety! The pandemic has provided a setting to increase those opportunities. Many youngsters are lucky to have parents and teachers guiding them toward increased proficiencies in the home and kitchen.
Honorable Mention
“Safe Driving with Two Hands on Wheel and Seat Belt”
Trey Allen, Bellefontaine, OH
Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine, OH
Teacher: Lois Stoll
This great “back to basics” photo by Trey depicts a phrase often used by driving instructors to address the importance of having good command of your vehicle. Driving with two hands, evenly placed “at ten and two” (as we would describe the positions on the clock dial), keeps the driver in control. The seatbelt represents another basic to keep safe and save your life! Never drive without it! Besides saving your life, passengers are likely to survive in a crash because the driver is safely belted, therefore more in control, and able to respond as needed.
New Special Topics Category - Human Trafficking; Opioid/Substance Abuse; Safe at School and Community; Safe in a New Land
First Place
"Stolen Lives, Stolen Dreams…Avoid Walking Alone"
Emmaly Goguen, Sidney, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
Emmaly reminds us of the extra risk we take if we are walking alone, especially in an area we do not know well, day or night. The unfortunate truth is we may be less safe in our communities for injury, attack, and human trafficking if we do not have a companion, and especially if no one is aware of our plans. This photo also reminds us that we often feel “alone” and must be fully alert and aware of our surroundings! Solitude can be good, but too often anxiety or depression can make us vulnerable to a variety of dangers. Whether we are in a new land, in a neighborhood we may not know well, or dealing with a pandemic, safety is critical! Make a plan to be with someone whenever possible.
Second Place
“Stop it, Don’t Pop it…Just Drop it!”
Macy Wiktorowski, Anna, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
This picture and hard-hitting caption tell the story! Macy reminds us that taking any drugs can hurt or kill if not prescribed and taken under supervision! It is difficult to find an Ohio family who has not experienced addiction of controlled substances, or even death of a friend or family member! Ohio teachers have been heartbroken by the many deaths of students or others in families of students they teach. The Journal of Addiction Medicine that measures years of life lost concludes that fatal opioid overdose accounted for over half a million years of life lost (YLL) in Ohio during the 7-year study period from 1999-2016. Fentanyl accounted for a growing proportion of mortality.
Third Place
“Only Three Can Pick Me Up!”
Laura Byler, Canfield, OH
Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Canfield, OH
Teacher: Julie Pagnotta
School safety issues are top of mind these days, and carefully designed rules and regulations help keep our students safe. Adopting procedures like those designating safe drivers for our precious cargo, illustrates the need for the whole team from school and family to work together to protect youngsters as they come and go.
Honorable Mention
“Human Trafficking Happens Everywhere, So Stay Off Your Phone, Keep a Conscious Eye, to be less Prone”
Kiplyn Rowland, Anna, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
The dangers of Human Trafficking are everywhere today! From the local truck stop, the bus station and even in our neighborhoods, traffickers prey on youngsters tempted by promised rewards of money, gifts or the freedom from rules at home or school. Distraction can be a clear and present danger. Be aware of your surroundings, ready to cry out and run! Youngsters are more vulnerable if distracted and unaware of present dangers. Don’t allow yourself to be placed in positions of danger. Ignore attempts by strangers to get your attention or speak to you when you are alone or not paying attention! Be vigilant! Don’t automatically trust others. Be suspicious of racy cars, people you don’t know or invitations to take be with people who might tempt you with parties, money, gifts or trips! Danger!!
Honorable Mention
“Give Love to Your Street Signs”
Nicholas Rose, Zanesfield, OH
Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine, OH
Teacher: Lois Stoll
Nickolas made us laugh as well as remind us of how important common street signs and other safety signals are to us to keep our communities safe! We may take them for granted. But we are lucky to live in a place that takes safety seriously. Experts at home and in the national interest use science and care in placing signs and signals. Citizens of all ages benefit from keeping streets and the whole community carefully controlled to protect its residents, as they in turn show respect and value these assets.
Coronavirus Category
This category was added to recognize the dangers and need for safety during the pandemic! As we prepare students for life at home and career, it is critical that they be prepared for Covid-19 Safety. These photos were all taken in the first few weeks of the pandemic before many standards had been set by scientists and medical experts. Things changed with understanding of how the virus spread, and how it could be stopped by masks, distancing and hand washing and other means.
First Place
"Protect Others from Covid-19 by Protecting Yourself"
Sarah Ham, Anna, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
Learning THE SCIENCE, all the new ways to protect ourselves and others is a huge assignment for all of us as the world has changed. Sarah addressed how to mask and glove, since we know these are all procedures to use at home and away. How to glove and remove gloves is one task. Using her Smartphone to access the procedures and information about Covid, and becoming skilled at using these procedures is critical to our new world experience. School went online and teachers are educating students in choices to access for information and critical thinking skills about content on Covid spread and see the demonstrations of the many skills needed to stay safe and keep others safe. First we have seen the research, then the skills are developed to meet the challenges. So our “book of skills” changes too.
Second Place
"Wash Your Hands…20 Seconds Could Save 20 Lives"
Ronald Gill, Bellefontaine, OH
Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine, OH
Teacher: Lois Stoll
The CDC and responsible others (i.e. Johns Hopkins, Washington Post Coronavirus Updates) offer daily updates while others help us practice new routines to save lives. Ronald shows us the critical news about frequent hand washing! Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds to cleanse and remove virus. To ensure we are spending 20 seconds, try singing the Happy Birthday song twicet! Not too fast!
Third Place
"If You Want to do Your Part…Stay Apart!"
Michaela Ambos, Sidney, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
A new fact of life and easy to do – another critical skill. Learn to distance in all circumstances. Staying 6 feet apart gives us an extra safe space, less likely to allow virus to reach us. Adding masks became a critical part of every situation in order to stop the spread. Now we know to “distance”! We learned to distance and mask, create a family pod, and practice masking with any others not in our pod. Away from the pod, we mask and distance all the time, any time in line, even outside waiting to vote. Now floors are marked with “where to stand”, and chairs are removed to make sure we can achieve proper distancing in the community, while shopping, in ANY setting, even at home, when unvaccinated persons are present.
Honorable Mention
"Stop the Disease’s Plans by Taking Time to Wash Your Hands"
Emily Bertke, Anna, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
Little ones must be taught all the same skills to keep themselves and others safe! Creating safe habits, hand washing with extra subskills to learn – perhaps singing the Happy Birthday song, using warm water and always soap are successfully taught with reinforcement and repetition. Now we know how much it matters!
Honorable Mention
"Don’t Lose Hope, Just Wash Your Hands with Soap"
Macy Egbert, Botkins, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
We feel overwhelmed as we face the dangers. Macy reminds us not to lose hope, but to dive in with energy and learn the science so we can stay safe and protect ourselves and others. Following the science taught us to take hand washing very seriously! Thinking of others kept us feeling focused.
Special Mention Category
These photos defy a category, but are powerful in a special way, and worth “special mention.
"Reading Peacefully is an Emotionally Safe Practice for Kindergarteners"
Laura Byler, Canfield, OH
Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Canfield, OH
Teacher: Julie Pagnotta
We cannot overestimate how much can be learned by stories that help us learn about ourselves and others. We can explore issues that teach us about the physical, social, emotional and intellectual truths of life and development of our inner selves. How precious is the feeling of peace and focus we learn as we acquire knowledge and skills from literature as young children and as forever learners! Confident Learners who know the importance of listening acquire a set of skills that protects them throughout their lives. They Listen and learn. Be proficient in the set of skills learned by listening and learning. Feeling the perimeter of safety in a story circle, is created when children are reassured that the adults who care for them will make every effort to give them a rich and secure environment at home and at school, safe from both seen and unseen dangers. Teachers who teach not fear, but the absence of fear, based upon being capable, enable independence.
"Your Baby, in Safe Hands"
Annastasia Ashburn, Youngstown, OH
Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Canfield, OH
Teacher: Julie Pagnotta
So earnest and beautiful a child and young woman remind us of the bloom of health and great energy of the young parent faced with the many new challenges of adulthood and parenting! Every parent needs to develop the skills necessary to meet their child’s needs with proficiency and respect for development of the baby and for their own development as they themselves continue to develop throughout adulthood. Being surrounded by capable and caring teachers and parents who understand the needs of the evolving young parent, means they are likely to develop both character and competence, and the integrity and wisdom to become a confident, loving parent.
"My Father Didn’t Tell Me How to Live; He Lived, and Let Me Watch Him Do It"
Elanie McWade, Marysville, OH
Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine, OH
Teacher: Lois Stoll
Elanie seems to be telling us a story in her photo, of how her father gently led by example, allowing her to watch and then experience his life skills so that her’s would be a safer journey. She says, “He lived, and Let Me Watch Him Do It”. What a deftly skillful dad, to know how to involve his young daughter in acquiring everyday skills by letting her in! It is a loving parent who joyfully and adroitly shares the tasks at hand with the knowledge that a confident learner absorbs the task a little at a time, first observing, then assuming more and more responsibility. How wonderful that this dad taught with intimacy, life’s work in small doses, to prepare his girl for her own journey. We thank her for sharing her keen observance of the delicacy of parenting in lives well-lived when children are deeply loved.
"My Booster Keeps Me Safe and Sound Until I’m 8 and 80 lbs."
Bailey Althauser, Anna, OH
Anna High School, Anna, OH
Teacher: Brenda Wuebker
Bailey’s photo tells the simple story of the Ohio law! Booster seats have changed how youngsters travel from home to school, day care, sports and visits to Grandparents and others. Ohio kids are much safer today then in generations before when they often travelled unrestrained, and subject to great harm. The Brain Injury Association tells of children whose lives end or whose mental or physical development is so damaged that they are never the same. These are the kids who were unbelted, insufficiently restrained, who flew out of the seat and impacted another fragile person or were hit with an unyielding object that dimmed their futures permanently. What a little time and effort it takes to teach the importance of proper seating and restraint even if the laws do not go far enough to ensure their safety. Every person must be belted and properly seated. Never should parents concede to being unbelted themselves or to carelessly let others in their family circle travel unbelted! Upon impact, van doors may fly open and kids fly out! Keep your family alive and safe. Supersede laws. Make sure every person in your car, truck or van is always safely seated and belted. Minimize distractions. Model safe driving leadership at all times, observing the optimum examples of safe speeds, knowledge of all laws, and interpreting for youngsters how critical it is that a driver is the best they can be at all times to keep families safe.
Discover Parenting 2020 Project Information:
Ohio Family and Consumer Sciences educators are among the many teaching groups who have shared personal stories about their own heartbreaking and frustrating experiences: Students who became addicted, and simply “dropped out” in every way;
Parents of their students – who are addicts, and neglect their children, in every realm (emotionally, physically, socially) leaving them to survive on their own; Parents who have died of overdoses and the enormity of the impact on our students and their siblings, family members, friends, school districts, courts, law enforcement, and all of us struggling to keep up with the constant impact of these complex crises and the lifelong results.
Student photos are on display at the Statehouse Complex Riffe Center and will be displayed at the Ohio Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences conference, and other conferences as available.
Enroll Now
- April 15 is the deadline for entry into the annual Discover Parenting project.
- Contact Pat Fountain [email protected] to enroll and for more information.
- The statewide exhibit will be on display in the lobby of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, at the Statehouse complex in Columbus and at other conferences as possible.
- Content Standards for Career and Technical Education intersect with Discover Parenting tasks.
- Winning photos are announced to teachers during the annual conference of OATFACS, the Ohio Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Science in Columbus and winners are recognized at the annual conference of the National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders (NAWHSL) at their national conference and the Ohio Early Childhood Education Conference in Sandusky, each spring.
USEP-OHIO materials available (but not required to teach Discover Parenting) “Kids in the Car with Grandparents and Others Who Care”. Teachers involved in Discover Parenting often use the USEP-OHIO materials provided in a teaching kit written by Cindy McKay. “Kids in the Car” is a NAWHSL publication developed through a safety grant to USEP-OHIO. It can be used to make video presentations to schools and in a variety of group settings.
“Discover Parenting Classroom Manual” original is available from the USEP-OHIO office [email protected]; and is presently being updated with new resources and information. “Discover Parenting Classroom Manual” was printed with support from the Ohio Department of Education includes tools which augment Ohio curriculum and was originally developed by USEP-OHIO with the support of many partners to reach teachers and their students. The Family and Consumer Sciences teachers in Ohio comprise the largest group of participants in the program, but its application could be used in student groups and organizations of all kinds.
Cindy McKay, Executive Director of USEP-OHIO said of Discover Parenting, “These students are likely to be parents in the next few years. I wish every student in Ohio had time during the high school years to think through and experience what these kids have in their class work. We are very excited about Discover Parenting and the great teachers who use it as a tool.”
Discover Parenting Guidelines
For more information contact: Pat Fountain, Project Manager, [email protected]