[KHTS] – Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials delivered a message Friday on the importance of sobriety at Golden Valley High School to the school’s class of 2014 to kick off White Ribbon Week.

“Class of 2014: We invite you to wear this white ribbon during graduation week and graduation ceremonies in remembrance of local teens who lost their lives in vehicular collisions since 2009,” read the card that came with a white ribbon.

The message came on a card with six names — teenagers who had lost their lives in car crashes in the last five years: Sarah Alarid; Jamie M. Arias; Albert B. Castro; Dakota Demott; Eric Gilhooley; and Nicole Lynn Hoffman.

Unfortunately, there are others.

The Sheriff’s Department kicked off White Ribbon Week with a talk and a white ribbon for each of the seniors, meant to be a symbol of their commitment to sober driving.

“This year we’re taking the white ribbon to social media and we’re encouraging teens, parents and Santa Clarita residents to tweet using the hasthtag #SCVwhiteribbon,” said Deputy Josh Dubin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Crime Prevention Unit.

Starting today through next week, Sheriff’s Station officials will be visiting local Santa Clarita Valley high schools and offering teens a symbol for a commitment to safe driving.

“As a patrol deputy, I’ve had instances where we’ve had to inform parents that they’re kids have been involved in motor vehicle incidents,” Dubin said, discussing the message he shared with the seniors.

Sheriff’s Station Capt. Roosevelt Johnson also was at the senior class assembly to introduce himself and support the effort.

The students are given the ribbons, but it’s up to them to make the pledge, as well as safe and smart choices, Dubin said.

White Ribbon Week and the Drive Safe Program are sponsored by Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Frontier Toyota, Safe Rides, the Sheriff’s Department and the city of Santa Clarita.