Katy ISD Partners with Kailee Mills Foundation for Seat Belt Awareness

[caption id="attachment_368782" align="aligncenter" width="447"] (Left to Right:  Ted Vierling – Chief Operations Officer at Katy ISD, Henry Gaw – Chief of Katy ISD Police Department, David Mills – Father of Kailee Mills, Courtney Doyle – Representative of the Kailee Mills Foundation, Chris Mallett – State Farm Agent)[/caption] “Buckle Up.  Someone Loves You” – it’s a simple message that is catching the eye of many Katy ISD car riders as they exit high school campuses.  The message, affixed to parking lot stop signs across the District, aims to remind motorists, especially teenagers, to wear their seat belts to protect themselves and others.  Through a partnership with the Kailee Mills Foundation, Katy ISD has joined the mission to prevent injuries and fatalities resulting from non-seat belt use by educating its students and impacting the culture surrounding this issue.  Currently, all nine Katy ISD high school campuses have these signs on display at nearby intersections. The Kailee Mills Foundation came into existence in October 2017 following a fatal accident involving the young student for which the Foundation is named.  Kailee had unbuckled herself in the back seat of a moving car to take a selfie.  Seconds later she was ejected from the vehicle and killed instantly.  Fast forward to December 26, 2020 when now former Tompkins High School student Samuel “Sam” Mills lost control of his vehicle causing it to flip.  He too was ejected from the car.  In both incidents, these youth were not wearing their seat belts.  Sam was fortunate enough to survive the accident and is now actively using his experience to educate other teenagers.  Through public speaking opportunities coordinated by the Foundation and Katy ISD, Sam emphasizes that it only takes a couple of seconds to fasten your seat belt - seconds that can change your life and the lives of those who know and love you. “Through Kailee and Sam’s story, we can save lives,” said Ted Vierling, Katy ISD Chief Operations Officer.  “The signs serve as a reminder to buckle up on every trip, no matter how far you’re going or how short your trip might be,” added Vierling. “The Kailee Mills Foundation also provides financial and counseling assistance to families who have lost a loved one due to non-seat belt use,” said Courtney Doyle, representative of the Foundation.  “Likewise, a scholarship is also awarded to a student who lost a family member in such a tragedy,” added Doyle. Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to be properly secured in the front and back seats, or they could face fines of up to $200.  The Kailee Mills signs are sponsored by State Farm Insurance. To learn more about the Kailee Mills Foundation visit their website.