Lord Botetourt High School YOVASO (Youth of Virginia Speaking Out about Traffic Safety) held an after the homecoming game Save Your Tailgate Party on Friday night September 21st. The LBHS YOVASO is an award winning club. Once again they are participating in the annual statewide 2012 Save Your Tailgate Challenge. By using media to spread YOVASO news and local business signs as well,  the student group has been  sending out safety traffic messages. Several businesses participated in the safety event with messages for anti-texting while driving and anti underage alcohol drinking/driving booths. Here’s a list of businesses that particpated in some form.

The Save Your Tailgate  challenge is from Sept. 14 through October 15. “Over 500 students participated at some time during the night,” said YOVASO sponsor Jackie Collins.

The highlights of the evening were inflatables, a foam pit, a DJ, food and drinks as well as chances to win gift cards and a Limo ride.  A.J. Pierce a 9th grader won the free  one hour limo ride to the Winter Formal on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 from Rob Anderson owner of  Elite Limo A mock traffic stop dramatization ran with School Resource Officer Kevin Hix pulling over a pretend Teen DUI.

Grace Boardwine, part of the YOVASO  teen leadership made announcements and worked the event with other club members. Plenty of adult volunteers were on hand as well. A mock traffic stop dramatization ran with School Resource Officer Kevin Hix pulling over a pretend Teen DUI. Brian Sykes and Jessica Powell portrayed the teen couple in the mock traffic stop on the way to  homecoming events after consuming alcohol. The night ended with the driver going to jail and parents coming to retrieve their daughter.

School Sponsors include Grace Parker and Jackie Collins, Irma Stritesky and Sheila Lythgoe and many other volunteers were there to help.

This  story has been edited with additional content.