Stockton Freshman Named 2018 Hero of the Year
Galloway, N.J. _ Shelby Gribbin, 18, of Brigantine, a freshman at 番茄社区app, was named the 2018 Hero of the Year by Stockton in partnership with the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers庐 at a ceremony in the Stockton Art Gallery on April 12.
Gribbin鈥檚 photo will now be featured on a Hero Campaign billboard on the Atlantic City Expressway, donated by Clear Channel Outdoor, which promotes the use of designated drivers to reduce drunk driving.
Gribbin said she first became involved in the campaign while a student at Holy Spirit
High School in Absecon when she got involved in a commercial for the campaign. She
has also been involved in the fund-raising walk and said she supports the goal of
the program.
鈥淚鈥檓 always the mom of my group, telling them to be responsible in everything, and use your head,鈥 she said.
The Hero Campaign is named for Ensign John R. Elliott, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver on his way home for his mother鈥檚 birthday in 2000. His family started the John R. Elliott Foundation and Hero Campaign that year.
Elliott鈥檚 father, Bill, urged the public to spread the message and support the campaign.
鈥淭he key to success is participation, even if it鈥檚 doing something small like displaying the Be a HERO car window decal,鈥 he said.
Other nominees also honored at the event were Stockton students Abdullah Bukhari of Ventnor, and Jonathan Schwartz of Spotswood.
Gribbin replaces Vanessa Francesco of Somers Point, a Stockton senior who will graduate in May and enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Stockton. She said it was humbling to be the face of the Hero Campaign for 2017.
鈥淵ou are a role model,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 mind being the designated driver, but it doesn鈥檛 always have to be me. Everyone should be aware.鈥
Elliott said services like Uber have made it easier for people to avoid driving home, but the awareness of the dangers of driving while under the influence is still crucial.
More information about the Hero Campaign is online at
Photo caption: Bill Elliott with 2017 Hero of the Year Vanessa Francesco and 2018 Hero of the Year Shelby Gribbin.
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For more information:
Pam Tyson or Denise Hladun
-609.626.3880
pamtyson@herocampaign.org
dhladun@herocampaign.org
