State Rep. Keith Elliott praised Thayer High School students Cannon Pitts and Holden Underwood for participating in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and earning top statewide honors in the Families Acting for
Community Traffic Safety (FACTS) program.
During the 2025-2026 school year, Pitts and Underwood designed and executed an impactful peer-education initiative titled “The Ripple Effect”, which focused on educating students about the serious dangers of impaired driving. A selection committee of representatives from the National FCCLA, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and the Governors
Highway Safety Association recognized their effort as the Top Missouri FACTS Chapter Project.
As part of “The Ripple Effect”, Pitts and Underwood partnered with Sergeant Eddie Young, Public Information Officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop G. Sergeant Young assisted in developing the initiative and addressed the student body at a Thayer High School assembly. Following the presentation, students engaged in hands-on activities wearing impairment simulation goggles and attempting tasks such as walking a straight line or catching a ball to gain firsthand understanding of how impairment affects motor skills and judgment.
“I am so proud of our Thayer FCCLA chapter, and for the dedication that Cannon and Holden brought to this important project,” stated Rep. Elliott, R-Doniphan. “Through ‘The Ripple Effect’, it is evident that these young men took initiative and demonstrated leadership in taking on a critical safety issue. I would also like to thank Sergeant Eddie Young, whose support and guidance helped make this presentation a success.”
As the top-ranked chapter project in Missouri, Cannon and Holden earned the opportunity to represent the state FCCLA at the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Washington, D.C., where they presented their project’s findings and impact on a national stage.
