Gabby Leeper, 2019 AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year award winner.

Photo taken at the AAA Patroller of the Year banquet at

Dayton Convention Center, Dayton, OH (May 2, 2019)

 Photo provided by Candid Photography.

DAYTON, OH (May 2, 2019) Gabby Leeper, a sixth-grade student attending Ansonia Elementary School in the Ansonia Local Schools district, has been named the 2019 AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year. An honor of the highest regard, this award recognizes exemplary leadership qualities, safety skills, school involvement and citizenship/volunteerism. This year’s selection committee reviewed 23 nominations submitted by schools throughout the Miami Valley area.

“The recipients of this award are committed to leading others in a positive way, and build on this strong foundation to become talented leaders across many fields and professions,” said AAA Public Affairs Manager, Cindy Antrican. “This year’s winner exemplifies all the qualities of a true leader.” AAA awarded Gabby a recognition plaque and a $500 check during a ceremony at the Dayton Convention Center on May 2.

While the belt color may have changed quite dramatically over the years -- from white, to orange, to today's fluorescent green called "electric lime" -- the AAA School Safety Patrol Program mission remains the same: to provide a safer environment and leadership opportunities for millions of school children. What began as a small, boys-only initiative continues to stand the test of time, celebrating its 99th year in 2019. Since that humble beginning, the AAA-sponsored School Safety Patrol has expanded into the world's largest safety program. Today, more than 654,000 male and female patrollers in 34,500 schools nationwide dedicate their time before, during and after school each day working to ensure the safety of their classmates.

"AAA School Safety Patrol plays an important role in helping young pedestrians learn and fulfill responsibilities regarding traffic safety," Antrican said. "Millions of U.S. boys and girls have honorably served their classmates since the program began in 1920 and interest in the program has spread around the world. Students nominated for the AAA Patroller of the Year award are committed to leading others in a positive way, and build on this strong foundation to become talented leaders across many fields and professions. AAA clubs are very proud of not only our patrollers, but also school personnel who administer the program and law enforcement officials who contribute to patrollers' success.”

###

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.