I am proud, honored, and blessed to be a 2025 Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship recipient and could not be more content in spreading awareness for distracted driving and providing an insight to the life of Philip Lutzenkirchen. Like many, I, unfortunately, was unable to be graced by Philip Lutzenkirchen while he was still with us. However, because of not only this scholarship, but also of the efforts of the Lutzie 43 Foundation, Philip’s legacy of kindness, love, and respect lives on and is evident in the dispositions of those he has touched.
When I began the process for applying to this scholarship, I took this as just another way to receive money for college. Just another application. Just another “thing” to do. What I found, however, is myself crying at my dining room table after learning of the brutally honest and tragic death of Philip Lutzenkirchen. After watching the multitude of videos of Philip’s family, friends, professors, coaches, and teammates describe the impact and light that his presence had provided in their lives, I decided to not let this scholarship be just another scholarship. I poured myself into the application process and found the efforts of the Lutzie 43 Foundation to be easily accessible and applicable to the lives of the modern individuals.
To continue, distracted and impaired driving is not a subject that is talked about enough in local communities, schools, and homes. You do not notice the realness that distracted driving presents itself in your hometown until something happens. Around a year ago, a woman in our community named Laura Devisscher was killed due to an intoxicated and distracted teen. The adolescent driver hit Laura’s vehicle at speeds over 100 mph all while being drunk, distracted, and without a seatbelt. He escaped the accident with minor injuries while Laura and her dog, Bella, died on impact. This accident caused a ripple throughout the area, and with many of my friends knowing the teen driver, a subsequent problem in school. The young man is currently being charged with Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, No Seat belt, and Cruelty to Animals. All of this could have been avoided if he and those in the vehicle would have practiced the 43 Key Seconds.
Throughout the application process, I constantly thought of Laura. I would find myself asking “Where would she be now if they would’ve thought before driving impaired?” I feel that as a citizen who operates and controls a vehicle, you have to have respect for yourself and the population. Something that truly stuck with me throughout the Safeguarding Your Legacy Curriculum is the impact that respect can have on both your mindset, and your actions. While honoring Philip’s legacy, I have found that you are able to gain and give respect by meticulously acting with kindness and admiration to all people. With that respect, you suddenly become more aware and conscientious of your choices behind the wheel and in life as you realize they may, and will, heavily influence the lives of others. For me, the respect I have for myself, those I drive, and those I meet on the road hold me accountable for what I choose to do while operating a vehicle.
There is an act of love and kindness that comes from hands-free and thoughtful driving. I, personally, find myself going through the 43 Key Seconds checklist every time I enter my vehicle. I drive my sister and her best friend daily to school and I couldn’t imagine my parents or my own life being so negatively affected due to an action I could have easily prevented. That is why I love the simplicity of the 43 Key Seconds and the Lutzie 43 philosophy. While on the phone with Mr. Mike Lutzenkirchen, I told him how I loved the adaptability of the curriculum and how easily it can be ingrained in an adolescent’s life. Because of the accident that killed Laura Devisscher and it being at the fault of a fellow teenage driver, I feel that as a Lutzie 43 Ambassador, it is my job to spread awareness of the reality of distracted driving. Especially in the adolescent community, distracted driving has become a widespread plague and is encouraged, rather than frowned upon. Not driving distracted is considered “uncool” or “lame” but I take it as an act of respect, love and kindness to others.
When you evaluate the life of someone like Philip, it is easy to see the passion and drive present throughout his twenty-three years of life. While playing on one of the biggest stages in football, he remained humble, glorified God, and gave back to those who gave to him. His character in and out of the spotlight was one of a servant and he is a representation of giving unconditional love to all people. As a Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship recipient, I plan on continuing to live, love and learn like Lutz so that I am able to lessen the amount of people who are heavily affected by the consequences of distracted and impaired driving. No individual’s life should be put on halt due to a simple choice.