AAA School Safety Patrol Awards
The AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award recognizes patrollers who have saved the life of another person while on duty. Since its establishment in 1949, the Lifesaving Award has been presented to more than 382 patrollers from 31 states and the District Columbia. Fifty-eight of those Lifesavers have come from AAA Mid-Atlantic's service area.
AAA National honored three AAA School Safety Patrols™ for their heroic efforts by making split- second decisions that saved lives. Each received the AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving medal during an awards ceremony on May 5 in Washington, DC.
Nicole Epstein, of North Chevy Chase Elementary School (Chevy Chase, Md.), pulled an eight-year-old student out of a crosswalk preventing a vehicle from hitting him as it made a right hand turn.
Clarissa Sourada, of Union Mill Elementary School (Clifton, Va.), spotted a vehicle backing up towards a brother and sister as they crossed a driveway. While the 11-year-old boy moved out of the way when Clarissa yelled to them, the 7-year-old girl was confused as to what she should do. Clarissa grabbed the girl's backpack and pulled her to safety.
Raul Valdez, of West Gate Elementary School (Manassas, Va.), was holding back a group a students after school as traffic exited the driveway. When a 10-year-old girl suddenly darted out from behind Raul into the driveway, he quickly grabbed her to pull her back to safety to prevent her from being struck by a van exiting the school.
In addition to receiving Lifesaving Medals, Nicole Epstein and Clarissa Sourada, were special guests at the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, where they handed the green flag to Honorary Starter Kristi Yamaguchi during pre-race ceremonies. On Saturday before the race, they participated in the 500 Festival Parade and received a V.I.P. dinner at Hard Rock Café in Indianapolis.
On a local level, The Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education sponsored awards luncheons to honor the most Outstanding AAA School Safety Patrols of the 2007-2008 school year. In total, 103 patrols representing both public and private schools were honored at six individual luncheons throughout the Mid-Atlantic service area. Recipients must meet strict criteria which includes leadership, dependability, academics, promptness, neatness and industriousness while protecting their fellow students as they travel to and from school. The honorees were presented with a handsome plaque and $150 in U. S. Savings Bonds.
To learn more about the AAA National Awards, or to receive an application for 2009 submission, contact the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education Safety Services Manager in your area.
AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award Luncheon Photos