She’s got sharp eyes on crosswalk

Drive by Emerald Hills Elementary School in Bonney Lake on any Wednesday after school, and you’ll see 11-year-old Sydney Evans in action.

She’s the safety patrol girl in a yellow-and-orange vest, with a smile on her face and safety on her mind.

AAA Washington recently honored the fifth-grader by inducting her into the 2007 AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of fame for “her outstanding dedication to the safety of her classmates,” according to a news release from the auto club.

Sydney and nine other safety patrollers chosen for the award were honored at a recent Seattle Mariners game at Safeco Field. Each won a $50 check and a plaque for themselves, and $300 of safety patrol gear for their school.

Here are excerpts from the nomination form completed by Sydney and school nurse and safety patrol adviser Karen Harris, who nominated Sydney. Questions and answers have been edited for brevity.

RESPONSES FROM HARRIS

Describe how your patroller is a role model, leader and safety advocate to classmates.

Sydney has such a positive attitude and is always helpful to fellow patrollers, staff and students. She gently reminds students of the rules and is willing to demonstrate safety. Her leadership skills are outstanding. She is always the first to fill in for her teammates, organize and care for our equipment.

Using examples, describe your patroller’s understanding and demonstration of traffic safety procedures and knowledge of patrol responsibilities.

This fall when I held my training meeting for new and returning patrollers, Sydney offered her expertise in demonstrating proper crosswalk techniques … as we role-played many scenarios. She told (patrollers) to … be on time, safety first, respect your equipment and have a positive attitude!

RESPONSES FROM SYDNEY

Why is serving on your school safety patrol important to you?

I want to keep people safe by helping them cross the right way without getting hurt. I also want to help people like kindergartners learn how to cross by not running or playing in the zone that involves cars and buses.

List three ways you set a good example for other students.

1. By doing the right thing and not goofing off. 2. By walking and not running. 3. By respecting the school’s property and safety zones.

How would you handle the following situation? While on duty, you and many younger students see your best friend cross the street in an area where it is not permitted. In front of the younger students, you ask that the friend not do it again and instead cross at the crosswalk. The next day, the same thing occurs.

I would get his or her attention and politely ask them to stop and use the crosswalk zone the next time they cross. If it happened again, I would have them walk back to the beginning and explain what will happen if it repeatedly continued and explain to the younger kids what to correctly do, but all in a nice, polite and understanding way.

winners from our area

Four South Sound students were among the 10 inductees into the 2007 AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony May 18 at Safeco Field in Seattle. The award winners were chosen by AAA Washington and a panel of judges from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Here are the South Sound inductees:

 • Sydney Evans, Emerald Hills Elementary, Bonney Lake, Sumner School District

 • Ashley Johnson, Green Gables Elementary, Federal Way, Federal Way School District

 • Oralia Rodriguez, Evergreen Elementary, Fort Lewis, Clover Park School District

 • Brandy Sinclair, Alpac Elementary, Pacific, Auburn School District

Debby Abe: 253-597-8694

debby.abe@thenewstribune.com