On June 25, 2020, a single moment of distraction behind the wheel changed the course of Mia Dougherty’s life. Now known to many as Miss Ocean View’s Teen, Dougherty turned personal tragedy into powerful purpose through the founding of her initiative, X-The-Text, a campaign aimed at eliminating distracted driving across New Jersey.
What began as a personal recovery journey evolved into a comprehensive advocacy campaign with a singular mission: to educate, empower, and prevent. Distracted driving remains one of the most prevalent causes of road accidents in the country, contributing to over 1.6 million accidents annually. Dougherty’s experience not only placed her within that statistic but also positioned her to take action in a way few her age have.
As a local titleholder in the Miss America Organization, Dougherty leveraged her platform to engage with schools, organizations, and local leaders across South Jersey. She began with a hands-on approach—visiting schools, talking directly to hundreds of students, and encouraging young people not only to avoid driving distracted but to avoid being distractions themselves. Her classroom presentations led to student pledges and commitments to drive with mindfulness, creating a ripple effect of awareness that reached far beyond the classroom.
One of the pillars of her outreach included a dedicated radio series, “Distracted Driving: Fact Fridays,” launched through The Coast 98.7 radio station. This series provided weekly insights and sobering data that drove home the real-world consequences of distracted behavior behind the wheel.
Beyond public speaking, Dougherty expanded her mission to community service. She organized charity drives benefiting The Branches Outreach-Code Blue and led Blessing Bags initiatives for those experiencing homelessness. These acts of service reflect the broader humanitarian values at the core of her work.
A notable component of Dougherty’s advocacy is her partnership with Joel Feldman, founder of EndDD.org, who tragically lost his daughter Casey to a distracted driver. Working alongside Feldman, Dougherty accessed impactful educational materials and deepened her knowledge about the scope and prevention of distracted driving. This collaboration led to the creation of a scholarship fund established in Casey Feldman’s memory, aimed at supporting students who exhibit a commitment to driving safety and social responsibility.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Dougherty received a proclamation from Congressman Jeff Van Drew and the U.S. House of Representatives, honoring her for her commitment to public safety. She was also named the Frank Campo Memorial Humanitarian Award recipient, recognizing her work as a teen leader actively transforming personal adversity into civic engagement.
Dougherty emphasizes that X-The-Text is not just a local campaign. Her vision is national. “I want to help put an end to distracted driving,” Dougherty states. “This isn’t just a New Jersey problem—it’s a national issue, and I believe young people can play a crucial role in ending it.”
With her personal story as a catalyst, Dougherty has emerged as a young leader in road safety advocacy. Her goals for X-The-Text include expanding outreach beyond the tri-state area, continuing collaborations with national organizations like EndDD.org, and growing the Casey Feldman scholarship initiative.
What distinguishes Dougherty’s work from many similar campaigns is the authenticity rooted in her lived experience. She is not simply advocating a cause—she is living its impact every day. Through consistent grassroots efforts, educational outreach, media engagement, and legislative awareness, Dougherty is transforming personal trauma into public transformation.
As the movement continues to gain momentum, X-The-Text stands as a growing voice in the national conversation around road safety. With youth leadership, policy partnerships, and an expanding network of supporters, Dougherty’s mission continues to resonate across communities.
For more information, please visit www-x-the-text.com
Connect on Instagram: @miss_oceanviews_teen
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In collaboration with Joel Feldman and EndDD.org