Designing the Future: Safe Sober T-Shirt Contest Winner on Triad Today

On Saturday, June 12^th, attorneys David Daggett and Griff Shuler of Daggett Shuler Law appeared on Triad Today with a special guest – Samuel Rocha, the winner of the 2021 Safe Sober T-Shirt Contest! Watch the segment:

Now in its 31^st year, the Safe Sober program aims to help students make good choices and avoid drugs and alcohol by generating positive peer pressure. While the program began its life as “Safe Sober Prom Night,” it has evolved to become a year-round program focused on reaching students throughout their high school careers. A hallmark of the program has always been the T-shirt Design Contest. Students have the opportunity to submit original designs to be featured on over 15,000 shirts distributed during graduation events. The winning student’s design is printed on the front, and their name and school is featured on the back. The winning design is chosen by a committee through a blind selection process.

The winner is announced at a surprise event at the student’s school each year. Not only does the student receive a $1,000 scholarship – the student’s teacher also receives a matching grant for classroom supplies. This year, the winner was Samuel Rocha, a senior at RJ Reynolds High School and the Career Center. Ms. Stephanie Messer, his Graphic Design teacher at the Career Center, was the grant recipient and the one who encouraged Samuel to enter the contest. Samuel was already familiar with the contest, having seen David and Griff at school for previous years’ Safe Sober events.

Since the announcement is a surprise to the student, a lot of work goes into keeping the surprise! The student’s family is usually in on it, and David makes a personal phone call to the parents to let them know. He shared that Samuel’s mother may have been the most excited parent they’ve ever had, and that sharing the news is one of his favorite days of the year.

This year, since schools have been hybrid, getting Samuel to school was a little tricky and took a bit of sneakiness. Samuel was not scheduled to be in school the day of the announcement, so Samuel’s family told him that there was a last-minute schedule change and he had to be there. He was very surprised when they arrived and the team from Daggett Shuler was in front of the school, along with Mayor Allen Joines and local dignitaries.

Samuel will be attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the fall and plans to study graphic design. He is excited to see his design printed on the shirts, and grateful for the opportunity to showcase his work.

Later in the episode, David Daggett also participated in the Roundtable discussion with Ogi Overman and Keith Grandberry. They talked about current news items and political issues. Watch the video:

About Daggett Shuler

The team at Daggett Shuler, Attorneys at Law is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and the overall wellness of the Triad community particularly when it comes to warning teens about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  Visit safesober.com or call 336-724-1234 for more information. 

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