By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

AMELIA - An Amelia High School senior won a new Hyundai Accent on Wednesday in this year's Operation Zero program in the West Clermont School District.

Jessica Knepfle of Pierce Township won the car and runner-up Cortnee McClanahan, a junior from Amelia, won a $500 savings bond. Fifteen other West Clermont High School students were awarded $100 savings bonds.

The annual Operation Zero program begins in the fall and runs through the school year. Students at Glen Este and Amelia high schools earn points in various safe driving programs during the year. Each point represents a chance in the drawing for the prizes.

The car is awarded to a senior. To be eligible, seniors must have a clean driving record.

The Kiwanis Club of Union Township is the main sponsor of Operation Zero. Other sponsors: Eastgate Junior Women's Club, Progressive Auto Insurance, Kerry Hyundai of Alexandria, Union Township Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Safety, Glen Este High School, Amelia High School, SADD chapters, the Clermont Recovery Center and the Key Clubs of both high schools.

"It's a program to promote safe driving," said Rick Dennison, Operation Zero coordinator for Amelia High School. "This is the 15th year that the Kiwanis has sponsored this."

E-mail daveck@fuse.net