AAA School Safety Patrol members honored for lifesaving heroics
WASHINGTON, May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAA awarded Lifesaving Medals to three students today for their heroic actions as AAA School Safety Patrol members. Clarissa Sourada, Nicole Epstein and Raul Valdez each saved the life of a fellow student by pulling them out of the path of oncoming vehicles.
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Clarissa Sourada of Clifton, Va. -- Age 12
On a rainy morning last February, Sourada assisted a crossing guard at a crosswalk across from Union Mill Elementary School. The 11-year-old patroller spotted a vehicle backing out of a driveway and heading straight towards a brother and sister. Sourada yelled for the children to watch out, and the 11-year-old boy moved out of the way. However, his 7-year-old sister was confused by what was going on and remained in the vehicle's path. Sourada quickly grabbed the girl and pulled her to safety as the driver continued to back out into the roadway -- never appearing to see the children he nearly struck.
Nicole Epstein of Chevy Chase, Md. -- Age 14
Epstein, of Chevy Chase, Md., was posted at an intersection near North Chevy Chase Elementary last June when an 8-year-old boy entered the crosswalk. Although the boy should have had the right of way, the driver of a vehicle making a right turn onto the road he was crossing appeared to not see him and was heading right towards him until Epstein grabbed his backpack and pulled him to safety.
Raul Valdez of Manassas Park, Va. -- Age 12
Each day after school Raul Valdez would assist students with crossing a driveway to the "Kiss 'n Ride" lot at West Gate Elementary School. One afternoon as he held a group of students from crossing while vehicles exited the school, a 10-year-old girl suddenly darted out from behind him and into the driveway. Valdez quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the path of an oncoming van.
In addition to receiving Lifesaving Medals, the three students will be special guests at the Indianapolis 500 later this month, where they will hand the green flag to Honorary Starter Floyd Mayweather Jr. during pre-race ceremonies.
In addition to honoring this year's Lifesaver Medal recipients, AAA also recognized 14 patrollers from across the country as National Patrollers of the Year. The students were selected for exemplifying leadership qualities, safety skills, school involvement, citizenship and volunteerism.
This year's National Patrollers of the Year include:
-- Jeremy Balboa of Port Clinton, Ohio
-- Patrick Brady of Williston Park, N.Y.
-- Brett Brumage of Fairmont, W.Va.
-- Zachary Burgmeier of Vandalia, Ohio
-- David Catts of Ft. Lewis, Wash.
-- Andrew Fennell of Berkeley Heights, N.J.
-- Eve Hillman of Rockford, Mich.
-- Harry Inghram of Graysville, Pa.
-- Delaney MacGregor of Salt Lake City, Utah
-- Maria Perez of Chicago, Ill.
-- Angel Roth of Englewood, Ohio
-- Kyra Taliaferro of Hampton, Va.
-- Cynetra Tolen of Jacksonville, Fla.
-- Melissa Werth of Appleton, Wis.
AAA also awarded Mike Carr, of St. George, Utah, with National Patrol Advisor of the Year honors, in addition to giving grants to six schools to enhance their AAA School Safety Patrol programs.
The AAA School Safety Patrol program has helped improve student travel to and from school since 1920. Currently, more than a half million students in schools across the country participate in the program. Former AAA School Safety Patrol members include Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, as well as several Supreme Court Justices, U.S. Senators, governors and U.S. Olympic gold medalists.
Since its establishment in 1949, the Lifesaving Award has been presented to 382 patrollers from 31 states and the District of Columbia.
As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at http://www.aaa.com/
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Christie Hyde
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