The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) announced the recipients for its 5th annual Linda Thomas Safe Driving Scholarship.

The scholarship awarded $2,000 each to 10 high school seniors in NET RMA counties throughout Northeast Texas, including two students from Wood County schools, Daniel Kernes of Quitman High School and Emilee Reed of Winnsboro High School.

The scholarship encourages area high school students to understand and discuss the importance of safe driving practices to local communities.

Winners were selected based on safe driving-themed essays along with academic and extracurricular achievements. Each application was evaluated by the NET RMA Scholarship Committee made up of board members on the Community Relations Committee. Recipients will be able to use scholarship funds for tuition, fees, books, room, board or other expenses required by their college or university.

 Daniel notes the importance of always focusing on the road: “Looking off the road for just a second can cause an accident – even a fatality. It’s vital to always make sure we’re being as safe as possible.”

 In Emilee’s safe driving scholarship essay, she notes how the future of driving is one where technology and human skill must advance together. “Self-driving cars loom on the horizon, promising a new age of safe driving. In all reality, it’s promising more accidents and unaware drivers. It is important to embrace technological advances but also to be a smart driver and know how to utilize the new tools safely.”