I would like to first start off to say that I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be selected as a 2026 Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship recipient. Winning this scholarship means a lot to me as it provides a broader way to continue my efforts in advocating for driver’s safety.
Just last week, I was introduced to a book called ‘The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership’ by John Maxwell. While reading, I came across the Law of Addition, the principle of leadership judged by leading to serve the people around you and adding value to others. I found Philip Lutzenkirchen in that book, the way he exemplified leadership in his community with nothing short of humility and grace.
Philip was a football star. But beyond that, he was so much more. A leader both on the field and off of it, a brother who cared for his family, and a son that made his family proud. He added value to others as the role model he was, and because of it, left a lasting legacy in his stead. Unfortunately, he was involved in a traffic fatality incident as a result of drunk driving.
I admit, that I too almost came close to his reality. On the way back from a conference, I felt my eyes grow heavy in the darkness of night and caught myself steering from the lines. Then, heart beating and blood rushing, I had told myself – whatever you do, don’t slip away. The irony was, I had just spoken at said conference of the importance of having equitable driver’s education for scenarios like these. I knew more than most that drowsy driving was risky, and could almost be as dangerous as drunk driving. I often wonder what would’ve happened if I hadn’t known that information, and had let my guard down at the most optimal moment.
I also want to mention that just a few weeks ago as well, three students from my grade received honorary degrees at our graduation. Forever 15, they lived until a traffic fatality crash took their lives as a result of driving while impaired. Stories of students like them continually show us – a crash can happen to anyone, anytime, no matter how bright, kind, and talented the human being. Like astronomer Carl Sagan once said, “The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition”.
In short, one risky decision can change anything. Because in today’s car-dependent society, millions of humans commandeering 2 ton vehicles has become an inescapable part of our reality, whether we’re in the driver’s seat or not. Thinking back to my own sweet grandmother , who had died as a pedestrian in a crash, it made me curious to see if others had been affected the same. At a one-week political efficacy development camp called ALA Girls State, I asked when giving a speech, and when I expected just one or two hands raised, nearly everyone I was talking to had raised their hands.
A great takeaway from Philip’s story is that on paper, he had so much ahead of him. He was dedicated, kind, and had the football record of people’s dreams. It’s tragic, but unfortunately such a common reality, and that’s why holding legacies like theirs in regard is so important. Much of our history is built, developed, and changed for the better because we learned from the past. But if no one is left privy to it, then that leaves a broad vacancy of lessons not learned. That’s why missions like these are so important – to spread awareness on the past that has happened, so more people don’t fall under such preventable, repeating fates.
I advocate for legacies like Philip, my grandmother, and my three late classmates through owning my part, then advocating on the whole scale. That means, starting with individual change: being an ambassador of the 43 Key Seconds core components: making sure that you have a clear mind, your hands are free, you can see your surroundings properly, and your seatbelt is on. Then, through the greater whole: pursuing meaningful change through policy, advocating at the Capitol to spread awareness on critical driver’s safety education. It’s why I study political science and want to become a lawyer some day – to create or be behind the structural changes so that more people like Philip don’t experience the same fate.
In this manner, I want to honor his legacy by being an ambassador myself and working towards a society more attuned to the dangers of impaired driving. Thank you again to the Lutzie 43 Foundation for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and officially be a part of this mission to save more lives.