Community-less Community Lunch ‘n Learn

Groesbeck High School senior Hadyn Getz spoke to a small crowd at the monthly community Lunch ‘n Learn on Thursday, April 11. The audience consisted of a few chamber members, Police Chief Chris Henson, and two members of the community.
Getz spoke about the Kailee Mills Foundation and the tragic loss of 16-year-old Kailee Mills in 2017. Mills was only a couple of blocks from her house on the way to a Halloween party her parents were already attending. She chose to take off her seatbelt to slide over and take a selfie with a friend. Moments after the selfie, the car veered off the road, flipped, and ejected Mills, the only passenger not wearing her seatbelt, from the car. Everyone else involved walked away with minor injuries, while the wreck proved fatal for Kailee Mills.
After her death, her parents were shocked by the statistics revolving around car wrecks and seat belt use. They decided to take action. According to the foundation’s website, “[The] Kailee Mills Foundation’s mission is to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from non-seat belt use through awareness, education, and community involvement.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 27.5 million Americans admit to not wearing their seatbelts. In 2016, nearly half of all fatalities in vehicle accidents were people not wearing their seatbelts. Of the vehicle passengers who survived car accidents, 86% were wearing seatbelts. According to TxDOT, In 2017, 929 people were killed in car accidents when not wearing their seatbelts in Texas alone, one of whom was Kailee Mills.
Getz explained that according to the CDC, Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans from ages 1 to 54 and that the risk of crashes is higher among 16 to 19-year-olds than any other age group. She showed a video created by the foundation and delivered a passionate speech about ensuring that everyone in the car is buckled up every time.
Getz elaborated on the impact of the foundation, stating that they have provided $106,200 in college scholarships to students who educate other teen drivers about seatbelt safety through awareness, research, volunteerism, and leadership. She expressed her hope to receive a scholarship from them to attend SFA and pursue her nursing degree.
For more information about the Kailee Mills Foundation and how you can help, visit the Kailee Mills Foundation website.