Local students raise funds for school zone lights

What started out as a school project is now turning into a call for action.

"No parent should have to go through that by losing their child," said Academy of Arts Careers and Technology student Avery Pipkin. "I know if my mom lost me she'd be broken."

Students from AACT are working with the community to enforce pedestrian safety.

They're hoping to install crosswalk signs at their school.

So far they've raised a little over $600 toward their $15,000 goal.

Quincy Maross said with a high number of child pedestrian incidents, they hope to reduce the number through awareness.

"A lot of these school zones don't have flashing lights or flashing crosswalk lights," said Maross. "Especially in areas like this where it's an industrial zone a lot of cars just speed through the school zones so it's a lot about student safety."

It's not too long into the interview before a car speeds by us.

Dami Mihaylova has an important message for drivers:

"So we really want them to be careful around school zones and I know it does not look like one but if you see kids on the street then its probably something going on around there like an event after school," said Mihaylova. "So please slow down, and a crosswalk with kids waiting please look both ways to make sure no one is going."

Avery Pipkin said they'll meet with city council members in hopes of expanding their project and they encourage community feedback on their GoFundMe page.

"What safety tips do you have for school zones or what you saw in your school that was good or bad?" added Pipkin. "That way we can get feedback. It's not from the parents we want to hear from but the kids, that way it's a different perspective."

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