May 8, 2025:
A Mount Vernon High School freshman is the winner of a $10,000 prize – and another $10,000 for her school – by learning to be a safe driver.
Payten Braun was announced the winner of this year’s Lesson Learned SD program during an all-school assembly at Mt. Vernon High School where she was presented with a $10,000 cash prize. Braun also gets to choose a school program which will receive a $10,000 award as well. The Lesson Learned program is in its 9th year and is provided in partnership with the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and the South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
“The Lesson Learned campaign isn’t just about keeping teens safe today—it’s about building habits that will protect them for a lifetime. By starting young, we’re shaping a generation of responsible drivers,” said Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary, Robert Perry.
Students identified safe driving habits on the Lesson Learned SD website and were entered into the drawing. This year, there were over 5,800 entries.
“The program rewards students and their schools for participating in safe driver education,” said Steve Willard, president of the Broadcasters Association. “It’s an important message and one that can embed safe driving habits for life.”
South Dakota’s Office of Highway Safety is an agency of the state Department of Public Safety.
The Lesson Learned website can be found at: lessonlearnedsd.com.
April 28, 2025:
South Dakota high school students now have the opportunity to participate in the Lesson Learned teen safe driving campaign, where they can win $10,000 for themselves and another $10,000 for a school-sponsored activity or program of their choice.
Now in its nineth year, the Lesson Learned campaign plays a crucial role in educating young drivers about the importance of safe driving habits, helping to prevent crashes and save lives. Sponsored by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and the South Dakota Broadcasters Association, the campaign rewards participants while promoting safe driving skills.
The entry period is open through April 30, 2025. Eligible students, ages 14 to 19, can enter by completing a few questions about safe driving at https://drivesafesd.com/lesson-learned. Each completed quiz earns an entry into the drawing, and the website also tracks participation rates for South Dakota schools.
The $20,000 cash award helps capture teens’ attention, encouraging them to reflect on the real-life impact of distracted, impaired, or reckless driving. Last year’s winner, Kasen Bender, a freshman at Watertown High School, received the $10,000 prize and chose the school’s soccer program as the recipient of a matching $10,000 award. By participating in Lesson Learned, teens gain valuable knowledge that not only protects themselves but also promotes safer roads for their friends, families, and communities.
The Office of Highway Safety is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, and remains committed to promoting traffic safety and reducing crashes across the state.
For full contest details and official rules, visit LessonLearnedSD.com.
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