Superstar Teen Honored for Work Against Drunk Driving

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone congratulated a Huntington Station teen on Tuesday for her efforts against underage drinking and driving.

Sarah Haiken, a student at Half Hollow Hills East, experienced drunk driving firsthand when a family friend, Karen Naclerio-Negrin, of Smithtown, was killed by a drunk driver in 2009. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to combat drunk driving.

MADD is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization with a mission to protect families from underage drinking and drunk driving.

“I applaud the efforts of Sarah as they pertain to advocating on behalf of MADD,” Bellone said. “I thank her for her leadership on the regional and the national level and know that she serves as a role model for her peers and her elders. I can only hope that my girls grow up to possess similar leadership qualities.”

At 13, Sarah became the youngest person to attend the MADD Inaugural National Teen Influencer Summit in Dallas. One of five teens chosen from among a pool of nominees from around the country, she and her fellow finalists helped to form the Power of Youth program.

Every two years, MADD accepts applicants towards a new panel. Sarah was the only person to return in 2012 and was asked again by MADD to apply for the following selection. Additionally, she continues to sit on the MADD Teen Influencer National Board, New York State MADD Advisory Board, and most recently, the New York State Governor’s Board for Teen Safe Driving. In 2010, she was awarded the Woman of Achievement Award by Long Island Press, the youngest ever recipient of the award.  

“Sarah’s not only the youngest advocate and leader with MADD New York State, but the way she goes about implementing and initiating her programs is with a quiet assuredness and excellent leadership,” New York State executive director at MADD Richard Mallow said. “New York State MADD is lucky to have an advocate like Sarah.”