Four Maryland elementary students have achieved the distinction of being the sole recipients of the AAA Lifesaver Award for their heroic instincts and actions that protected fellow students in perilous situations. As reported by FOX Baltimore, the awards were granted at a ceremony during the fifth-grade graduation of Hanover Hills Elementary School and earlier for a student from Rolling Terrace Elementary School.
On February 24, Vedanth "Ved" Koppula, Brianna Nemenzo, and Reagan Rice of Hanover Hills Elementary swiftly sprang into action when a classmate suffered a medical crisis. With poise beyond their years, the trio effectively engaged in their safety patrol training—one guiding their classmate to the ground and the others fetching help from adults, all the while maintaining calm in the crowded school environment. Their advisor, Nena Hupp, praised their "remarkable calmness and teamwork," according to the story by WBAL-TV.
The fourth awardee, Jefferson Reyes from Montgomery County's Rolling Terrace Elementary School, demonstrated his vigilance and quick reflexes on October 15, 2024. Stationed near a busy crosswalk amidst the chaos of dismissal time, construction, and congested traffic, Jefferson leapt to ensnare a child veering dangerously towards a turning school bus, effectively thwarting a potential tragedy.
The AAA School Safety Patrol program, which has marked over a century of service, trains student patrollers to identify safety hazards, ensuring secure school environments.
