By Debbie Adams
Youth of Virginia Speak Out (YOVASO) is a youth leadership organization focused on saving
the lives of teenage drivers through empowering them to be traffic safety advocates in their
schools and communities. YOVASO helps students and school administrators set up a
YOVASO Club in their schools or expand an already existing club to include safe driving
initiatives.
Each year an awards banquet is held at James Madison University to honor schools,
students, sponsors, School Resource Officers, and volunteers for outstanding teen safe
driving initiatives.
This year William Byrd Middle School Counselor Leslie Jordan and School Resource Officer
Deputy Joe Mullins accepted the “New Middle School Club of the Year Award for 2024” from
YOVASO at the awards banquet on July 12.
“Deputy Mullins and I are both co-sponsors of our YOVASO club,” said Jordan. “At the middle school level, YOVASO focuses on passenger, pedestrian, and bicycle safety; speaking out if someone they are riding with is not being safe; and instilling safe habits before they begin driving in a few years. We began the club because there was not one already in place, and motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death among adolescents and teenagers. We feel it’s important to start promoting safety on the roads at a young age.
“We received the ‘New Middle School Club of the Year.’ This award is in recognition of a new member club for its work to encourage safe teen driving and traffic safety during its first year. The award recognizes efforts to recruit diverse membership, establish club goals and best practices, complete member training, and begin participation in YOVASO campaigns and safety programs.”
Mullins accepted the “New Middle School Club of the Year Award” for 2024 from YOVASO at
a banquet at James Madison University. (photos courtesy of Roanoke County Sheriff’s Dept.)
“During the annual YOVASO banquet at JMU, two of our own were recognized,”
said Roanoke County Sheriff Eric Orange. “Deputy Joe Mullins and WBMS received the New
Middle School Club of The Year Award, while Officer Justin Hubbard and Cave Spring Middle
School received the Middle School Club of The Year Award. Additionally, Officer Justin
Hubbard received the SRO of The Year Award.”
Justin Hubbard accepts the “Middle School Club of the Year Award” for Cave Spring Middle
School at the YOVASO banquet at JMU. He was also named SRO of the Year.
“Deputy Mullins is a true asset to the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office and has proven to be
invaluable to the WBMS community in his role as SRO Deputy,” Orange said. “Deputy Mullins
strives to serve the students, faculty and staff of William Byrd, with the same level of dedication
and professionalism that he has served the citizens of Roanoke County for over two decades.”
“We are very thankful for Sheriff Orange and his staff’s commitment to assisting our safety
programs in Roanoke County Public Schools,” said WBMS Principal Evan Noell. “We are
fortunate to have Deputy Joe Mullins on our staff at William Byrd Middle School. He has
diligently worked to ensure a safe learning environment for our students while they are on
campus. Beyond his work as a School Resource Officer, Deputy Mullins builds positive
relationships with our students and staff, assists our football coaching staff, and frequently serves
lunch to our students in the cafeteria. Deputy Mullins provides a true example of servant
leadership, and his presence has been vital to our overall school culture.
“Deputy Mullins and Mrs. Jordan did a tremendous job launching our YOVASO club at
WBMS. They were able to engage students and staff in activities that provided education on
safe driving tactics and have assisted in the development of future teen drivers. It was no
surprise that their YOVASO club was named the ‘New Club of the Year’ for the Commonwealth
of Virginia.”
