CAMP HILL, Pa. — Kierstin Peabody, a Mercer County teen, was announced the winner of the annual state Youth Driving Championship in Camp Hill on May 9.

Peabody, of Greenville High School, took the top spot in the statewide contest, finishing in first place among 28 competitors.

She was awarded a $3,000.00 scholarship by the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA).

Dominick Diethrick of Eisenhower High School, Warren County, placed fifth; and Trent Abbate of Harbor Creek High School, Erie County, finished in eighth place.

Other northwestern Pennsylvania teens to compete included: Rachel Barner, of Saegertown High School, Crawford County; Taylor Janiuk, of Harbor Creek High School, Erie County; Jaiden Park, of Lakeview High School, Mercer County; Ryan Fair, of Christian Life Academy, Venango County; and Bailey Thompson, of Cranberry High School, Venango County.

In order to qualify for the state competitions, the teens had to place in the top two at a county competition, with third place finishers participating as alternates.

The competition included a series of knowledge and skill tests geared toward determining who the county’s top teen driver is, including a slow-driving obstacle course, written exam, perception test and pre-trip vehicle inspection.

To be eligible for the county or state the competitions, each student was required have a license or combination of a permit and a license for at least one year, during which time the teen could not be involved in a crash or receive a traffic citation.

Along with the first-place award, scholarships of $2,000.00 and $1,000.00 were given to the second and third place finishers, respectively.

County competitions were coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT); PMTA, Northwest Regional Safety Network; and local sheriff’s offices with the support of area high schools, local law enforcement, and business partners.

For more information on teen driving, visit www.penndot.gov/safety.