Text Free For Tita Bi-Annual Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Patterson Law Group
INTRODUCTION
Distracted driving is a major and preventable threat on Texas roads: one out of every five traffic crashes in the state is linked to a distracted driver, and in 2017 there were 449 fatal crashes caused by distracted driving. These numbers represent lives lost and families devastated — not just statistics.
On April 9, 2016, Texas lost two beloved people to a crash caused by distracted driving. In memory of 12-year-old Emma “Tita” Lourdes Shaffer, Patterson Law Group, together with Heather and Janae Cook, established a bi‑annual scholarship and awareness campaign titled Text Free For Tita.
ABOUT EMMA (“TITA”) AND EMMA LOURDES SHAFFER
Emma “Tita” Lourdes Shaffer was a 6th grader at Liberty Christian in 2016. Her father, James Shaffer, described her as one of God’s greatest gifts. Tita was known for her kindness, honesty, and her willingness to stand up for others. She volunteered with the “Someone Please Help Me” program and was an enthusiastic member of Champion Cheer in Southlake, Texas — a program she had been part of since 2009. Her teammates were like family, and everyone who knew Tita remembered her fondly.
Emma Lourdes Shaffer was a devoted mother and active volunteer, always involved with Liberty Christian and a proud, supportive cheer mom. Both mother and daughter were remembered for their readiness to help anyone in need.
On April 9, 2016, while returning home from dinner, Emma and Tita were struck head-on on Highway 377 when another vehicle drifted into their lane. The other driver, who was texting a friend while driving southbound, entered the northbound lane; both mothers and daughters were killed on impact. Tita was only 12. The message that preceded the crash read, “I’ll see you at the skate park.”
THE CAMPAIGN AND SCHOLARSHIP
One of Tita’s closest friends, Janae Cook — who cheered alongside her — channeled her grief into action. With her mother Heather, Janae launched the Text Free For Tita campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Janae lives by the message: “No text is worth a life. It can wait.” The campaign has reached people far beyond their community.
To honor Tita and to encourage creative approaches to reducing distracted-driving crashes, Patterson Law Group and the Cooks offer the Text Free For Tita Scholarship twice a year. Each semester’s winner receives $1,000 in support of their educational expenses.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Students are invited to design and share original, creative content that helps prevent distracted driving in Texas. Submissions may take any of these forms:
- Video or multimedia piece
- Written work (poem, essay, etc.)
- Photo or graphic (examples: a viral-style Facebook post, billboard mock-up)
HOW TO ENTER
1. Create your submission.
2. Post it publicly on Facebook or Instagram using both hashtags #TextFreeForTita and #scholarship, and tag @pattersonlawgroup.
3. In addition to the public post, email the completed scholarship application to scholarship@pattersonpersonalinjury.com by the deadlines below.
ENTRY RULES AND RESTRICTIONS
- Photos must NOT show gruesome or identifiable crash scenes.
- Photos must NOT display automaker branding.
- Photos must NOT be taken from inside a vehicle, whether moving or parked.
- Multiple entries are allowed.
- All social posts must be publicly viewable and include #TextFreeForTita, #scholarship, and @pattersonlawgroup to be eligible.
ELIGIBILITY & DEADLINES
- This scholarship is awarded twice a year. To be considered for the Spring semester, email your completed application by May 31. For the Fall semester, the deadline is December 15.
- If you have questions, email scholarship@pattersonpersonalinjury.com.
AWARD DETAILS & TERMS
- Each selected winner receives $1,000 to be used only for university or law school tuition and related educational expenses.
- Payment will be made by check directly to the recipient’s school.
- Winners will be notified within 30 days after the submission deadline.
- By submitting an application, you grant Patterson Law Group permission to use your submission, your name, the name of your college or law school, and any images provided on the firm’s website and in other promotional materials.
SAFETY NOTICE & LIABILITY
Patterson Law Group encourages applicants to exercise caution while creating entries and expressly disclaims responsibility for any injuries. Be safe.
CONTACT
For more information or questions, email scholarship@pattersonpersonalinjury.com.