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TEACHING TEENS TO DRIVE SAFELY CONFIDENCE COMES BEFORE TRAFFIC CellinoLaw.com Jan/Feb/Mar 2026 Advisor
I just learned that January is Teen Driving Awareness Month, and it took my mind back a few generations to when I was first figuring out how to drive. For me, it didn’t start in a classroom or with a driving manual. It started on my grandfather’s farm. He let me drive his tractor when I was about 12. For a kid that age, it felt like a lot of power. Later, he took it a step further. He had a station wagon in the small town of Dunkirk, and he would let me drive it on the roads near the farm. He put a phone book on the seat so I would sit a little higher. I remember thinking, “What happens if someone sees me?” He just told me not to worry and that he would take care of it.
By the time I turned 16, I couldn’t wait to get my permit. I went down and got it the day I was allowed to apply. Within a week or two, I signed up for my road test. I thought I had it made. I even chose a standard transmission car for the test because I was so sure of myself. That turned out to be a mistake as I flunked the first time. I passed the second time in my mother’s automatic, and I never forgot that lesson in humility. Now the next generation is up. My oldest grandson is 16, and he just got his permit. Not long ago, he and I took a trip together to California. One Sunday, I took him to a big empty lot and asked if he wanted to drive. He was nervous, but I put him behind the wheel and let him get a feel for the brake, the gas, and the steering. It reminded me of my early lessons with my dad. It also reminded me why that kind of practice is so important. A young driver needs to learn how a car responds in a place where there is no real chance of a collision. The basics haven’t changed much, but the world around new drivers has. Just the other night, we had a bunch of grandkids over to watch a movie. I looked around the room, and every one of them had a phone in their hand while the movie was playing. That habit follows them into the car. Many young drivers think they can text and drive because they can multitask. They believe they can glance down for a second and nothing bad will happen. From my work, I know how quickly things can go wrong. At highway speeds, a split second is enough time to drift across a lane or off the shoulder. I also see pedestrians walking right on the edge of the road, staring at their phones and assuming every driver will stay perfectly in their lane. It only takes one distracted driver for that assumption to fail. So, if you have a teen driver, my advice is simple. Start in a big empty lot. Let them get comfortable with the car before they mix with traffic. Consider hiring a professional driving instructor if possible. And talk honestly about phones. The texts can wait. The goal isn’t just to help them get a license. It’s to help them come home safe.
My dad picked up where my grandfather left off. He would bring me to a big empty parking lot so I could practice. We worked on simple things: turning the wheel, using the turn signal, and getting used to the gas and the brake. Those early drives stuck with me. They built my confidence and gave me a sense of how it felt to control a vehicle long before I had a license.
-Ross Cellino 888-888-8888 1
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Meet Maria Pavlatos Finding the Right Fit in Personal Injury Law
University, she studied finance and business management and loaded her schedule with pre-law classes. She also served as vice president of recruitment in her sorority, which meant planning events, organizing, and working with a lot of people. From there, she went on to St. John’s University School of Law. She interned at a personal injury and mass torts firm and later served as a judicial intern for the administrative judge of Nassau County. That role gave her a close look at everything from Child Victims Act cases to bail reform and medical malpractice, and showed her how big decisions get made. After law school, Maria spent four years in insurance defense. She represented insurance companies in personal injury lawsuits. That work provided a solid start to her career. As she describes it, “I gained firsthand
experience into how insurance companies evaluate claims and defend lawsuits. Now, I use that knowledge to advocate for individuals who have been hurt.” Over time, Maria wanted more contact with the people behind the files. When the chance came to join Cellino Law, she was ready. She liked the firm’s focus on injured clients and the way the team works together and knew it was the right fit. Looking ahead, she’s excited to continue helping people while gaining more trial experience and learning from the team around her. One of the biggest changes for her has been what happens when a case ends. Instead of just settling a case and moving to the next file, clients often reach out afterward and let her know a result changed their life. Maria says that feeling never gets old, and it reminds her of why she chose this path in the first place.
Growing up on Long Island, Maria Pavlatos spent a lot of time at her family’s diners. Regulars came in with the same orders and stories, and she watched how her parents treated each one. “I grew up in diners,” she says. Being around people all day taught her how to listen, how to read a room, and how to make someone feel cared for. Those skills still influence the way she practices law today. Maria knew early on that she wanted to be a lawyer. In high school, she worked as a file clerk at a personal injury firm and got her first look at real cases. At Hofstra
2 Legal disclaimer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising.
LOVE YOURSELF LIKE YOU MEAN IT Your Valentine’s Day Self-Care Guide
To ensure your self-care day is a success, consider turning off your phone and other devices for the duration of the day. Scrolling through social media will not help you feel any better; in fact, it will likely make you feel worse. This is a time to focus on yourself and ensure you get the attention and love you deserve. If you waste the whole day scrolling through TikTok or X, you’ll focus on everything but yourself.
For many Americans, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with romance. We get reservations weeks or months in advance, shower our partners in love and affection, and enjoy an extravagant date night. It’s a day filled with high expectations, and with that comes stress and pressure. If you feel like you’re always going above and beyond to impress on Valentine’s Day without getting the same effort in return, it may be time to show yourself some extra love. Everyone deserves a happy and fulfilling life, but it can be hard to achieve when work, relationships, and other pressures weigh us down. Most of us rarely take time for ourselves, so as the pressure builds, we start to experience episodes of burnout, depression, and anxiety. This Valentine’s Day or sometime close to it, take time for yourself and practice self-care. It will help you feel rejuvenated while removing any negative thoughts that have been lingering around. How you approach self-care is entirely up to you, but it almost always involves engaging in relaxing and enjoyable activities. Think about the things you love to do the most. When was the last time you played a round of golf, went on a walk through nature, or enjoyed your favorite movie uninterrupted? Whatever your favorite activity may be, find a way to incorporate it into your self-care day. In addition to your favorite activities, take some time to pamper yourself. Get a massage, buy something for yourself that you really want, or take a long, relaxing bath. These actions will help you feel good inside and out!
DREAM EQUALITY FESTIVAL GROUNDHOG HEARTS KING LINCOLN MUFFIN PANCAKE RABBIT ROSES Brain Break Solution on Page 4
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 Lessons From the Driver’s Seat 2 A New Voice at Cellino Law Kidney Donor Needed! 3 Reclaiming Valentine’s Day for Yourself Brain Break 4 Mastering the Art of Cold-Weather Camping
Create the Ultimate Winter Camping Experience FROM FROST TO FIRELIGHT
KEEP YOUR FEET DRY. Wet socks are the quick route to misery in cold weather. Snow melts, boots get damp, and you sweat while hiking. So, aim to stay dry from the get‑go with waterproof boots, gaiters, and maybe even snowshoes if you’re in deep powder. GROUND PROTECTION MATTERS. You’ve hauled all this gear out into the cold, so don’t let the frozen ground steal your warmth. A solid sleeping pad acts as insulation between you and the ground. Choose one with a decent R‑value (thermal resistance) or layer two simpler pads to block the chill. Then add a sleeping bag appropriate for the low you’re expecting. If your bag is rated for milder temperatures, a liner can extend its comfort zone by several degrees.
CHOOSE YOUR SPOT WISELY. A beautiful winter campsite still requires a smart choice. Avoid the bottom of slopes (cold air settles there) and the top of ridges (wind bites). Instead, look for flat terrain, shelter from the wind, and a nice snow‑bed you can compress by walking on it before you pitch your tent. Your tent door should face away from the prevailing wind. MAKE THE EVENINGS COZY. Once the sun dips and temperatures slide, it’s all about comfort! A warm drink by the campfire, flipping through a good book, chatting quietly while the stars shimmer overhead: These are the moments that make winter camping memorable!
There’s something magical about stepping outside into a hush of freshly fallen snow, pitching your tent beneath stars that feel crystal‑clear, and inhaling air so cold it feels pure. Winter camping allows you to experience nature in slow motion. The frozen landscape creates a peaceful stillness you won’t find on summer outings.
LAYER SMART TO STAY COZY. Whether you’re trudging into a snowy
clearing or setting up camp under a frosty sky, your number one ally is layering. Start with a snug “base” layer that traps warmth against your body. Next, add something insulating, like a fleece or down. Your final layer should protect you from wind and snow. Skip cotton because it soaks up moisture, and getting wet accelerates frostbite.
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