Western Hills students push pedestrian-safety campaign, testify at Statehouse on ‘Aspen’s Law’

Western Hills students described a year-long pedestrian-safety campaign they led and urged city and state officials to tighten penalties for drivers who hit students.

Students told the Cincinnati Board of Education on June 2 that a classmate was struck while waiting at a bus stop early in the 2024–25 school year and that the loss spurred their work. Superintendent Murphy introduced the group and praised their work.

"So today, I am so excited to see the young people from Western Hills come and present to the public and to the board," Superintendent Murphy said. She noted the students had won a district pitch competition, helped design a billboard and later delivered testimony at the Statehouse.

The students described their projects: a public-service video, billboard art refined with help from United Collective (an advertising agency partner), and out‑of‑district…