Two Safety Patrol Students Honored (Photos)
The Montgomery County Police Department is congratulating two Montgomery County Public School students, Alanna Miller of Rock Creek Forest Elementary School and Daceris Mendez of Rock View Elementary School, for receiving the 2013 AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award.
Pictured L to R, Front to Back
Alanna Miller, Daceris Mendez
Police Officer Guilday
Sergeant Whalen, Police Officer Walker, Police Officer Johnson, Captain Didone
Photo | MCPD
The American Automobile Association (AAA) School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award is the highest award given to members of the AAA School Safety Patrol. Recipients of the award are school safety patrol officers who have saved the life of a person while on safety duty. Each year, a National Review Board selects award winners from the nominated candidates.
The two area students were recognized for their heroic actions at an AAA Safety Patrol awards luncheon on May 30. Below are summaries of the two students’ life-saving actions.
Alanna Miller
Rock Creek Forest Elementary
Students who want to be a school safety patrol officer are asked to write a brief paragraph explaining why they would like to be part of the program. Alanna wrote, “. . . because I care about safety. Sometimes people can get hurt and while I’m on Safety Patrol, I won’t let that happen…”
On November 21, 2012 (the day before Thanksgiving Break) at approximately 9 a.m., Alanna was at her assigned safety patrol post at the corner of East-West Highway and Grubb Road. A Montgomery County Police crossing guard was at the opposite corner. As the crossing guard prepared to enter the street to allow the children to cross, she observed a large truck enter the intersection. The truck was driving against the red signal and was traveling in the direction of the crosswalk. A third grade student saw the pedestrian walk signal and started to walk in the crosswalk. Alanna realized that the crossing guard had not given the OK to cross. She saw the approaching truck and immediately stepped into the crosswalk, grabbed the arm of the young boy, and pulled him to the curb just as the truck drove past the crosswalk. The crossing guard stated that if not for Alanna’s quick actions, the young boy would have been struck by the truck.
Alanna receives excellent grades and excels in reading and writing. In her spare time, she is a cheerleader who performs in team competitions. Alanna’s teachers describe her as an amazing fifth grade student who puts the safety of others ahead of her own. Congratulations Alanna!
Daceris Mendez
Rock View Elementary
On December 10, 2012 at approximately 3 p.m., Daceris was at her assigned post at the Rock View Elementary Kiss and Ride parent pick-up area. Daceris observed a kindergarten student dart from the curb into the school’s drive and into the path of a moving car. Daceris immediately used both hands to grab the child around the waist and pull him back to the sidewalk. A teacher who witnessed this event stated that had Daceris not acted, the child’s feet would have been run over by the car.
Daceris is an enthusiastic learner with good study habits. She is a very caring and conscientious student and a dedicated school safety patroller. Congratulations Daceris!
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