CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — A high school student in Citrus County is using a Girl Scout project to help keep students safe while they head to school early in the morning.
- Bayley Edwards is senior at Crystal River High and a Girl Scout
- Her idea is to offer reflector lights to students waiting for buses
- Senior's idea is being adopted at middle, high schools district-wide
“It’s usually really dark outside, and sometimes buses pick up as early as 6 o’clock,” Crystal River High School senior Bayley Edwards said.
To change that, she collected small reflectors that can easily clip onto a bag or backpack. With flashing light options, they help drivers see students in the dark.
And the school district is on board with the project.
Edwards knew something like this was needed in Citrus County and dedicated her Girl Scout Gold Award project to making it happen. She’s calling it “Light Your Way to a Safer Education.”
“It’s nice to see my hard work paying off and that people are actually engaging with the project,” Edwards said.
Citrus County School District Transportation Director Marilyn Farmer said all middle and high school bus drivers now have the reflectors to pass out to students.
“We’ve seen students standing in the dark, and you can only really tell that they’re there because they have their cell phones on and you can see their cell phones lit up,” Farmer said. “So I think this is a great idea. ... It's a good way to let motorists know something is there so they’re cautious,” she added.
Since the project officially kicked off this week, Edwards said she’s heard from others throughout the country who want to see something similar in their schools.
“That makes me feel great, because I’m making a difference not just in Florida in Citrus County, but also in other places around the country,” she said.
The reflectors are also available at all middle and high schools in the county.