Rookie school safety patrollers recognized for bravery

ST. THOMAS, ON, Oct. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Savannah Lightfoot and Zachary Mastrandrea may be first-time school safety patrollers, but they looked like veterans when they saved the life of a fellow student earlier this year.

The two students from Monsignor Morrison Catholic School are the 2012 CAA School Safety Patrollers of the Year. They are being recognized for their outstanding commitment to the safety of their fellow students. In February, the two patrollers stopped a schoolmate from walking directly into the path of a speeding car.

While Savannah alerted the young girl to an approaching speeding vehicle, Zachary made note of the vehicle license plate, its make and colour and a description of the driver, who failed to stop after the near miss.

"Whether Zach and Savannah are helping a teacher or ensuring their classmates safely cross the road, they both represent what the patroller program is about. They are true role models for their peers, said Michelle O'Gorman, Patrol Supervisor, Monsignor Morrison Catholic School.

Nominees for the Patroller of the Year are ranked on leadership qualities, safety skills, school involvement and citizenship.

"The way Zachary and Savannah acted to save their fellow student from being harmed shows how their training is working to keep kids safe, says Leslie Rocha, Community Relations Specialist, CAA South Central Ontario. "They acted fearlessly and responsibly preventing that accident, and that's why they are being recognized today, continued Rocha.

There have been over 80 documented cases of patrollers saving the life of a fellow student. Patrollers dedicate over 3.45 million volunteer hours each year to community safety. There are currently over 55 police services, more than 800 schools and over 20,000 elementary school students involved in the program.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Jeff LeMoine, Communications Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].