Print |
E-mail to a friend
NEWS
Fifth-grader wins national award
Fifth-grade student and safety patrol member Jeremiah Parlock walks kindergarten students to their bus Monday, April 6, 2009, at Cox Landing Elementary School in Lesage. Parlock was one of 12 students from across the country named as National Safety Patrol of the Year.
Purchase this photo
LESAGE -- There is an extra safety feature at Cox Landing Elementary School that comes free of charge.
His name is Jeremiah Parlock, and he's one of 12 winners of the National Safety Patroller of the Year award, given out annually by AAA.
The fifth-grader will travel with is mother, Elizabeth McQuaide-Parlock, and Cox Landing Principal Laura Cooper to Washington, D.C., from May 16-19. He and the other national winners will receive their awards during a ceremony that recognizes those who take the responsibility seriously.
"We're very proud," Cooper said. "He's a fine, outstanding young man who is very conscientious. He looks out for all the students."
The 11-year-old is taking his newfound fame in stride after being anonymously nominated and completing an essay and phone interview for AAA. He never expected it, but Cooper, his mom and others say he deserves it for the way he handles the job.
Those on safety patrol are responsible for escorting kindergartners from their classrooms to the bus each afternoon. Cooper said they make sure the young kids get on the bus safely.
"I like to help people ... and you need responsibility," Parlock said of why he wanted to be on safety patrol. "It's an honor and a duty. You have to take it seriously."
One of 10 children, Parlock is next to youngest, and he's had a lot to look up to. His older brothers and sisters have achieved high levels as well, but he is the youngest to earn such a large award.
"It's nice when the older ones set the bar high," his mother said. "And the younger ones want to achieve it. I've always said one of the greatest gifts you can give a kid is a sibling."
Parlock, a bit shy with this new notoriety, also is humble. He said he does the best job he can on safety patrol, but hopes those to come can do more.
"I hope they do as well, but I hope they do better than I am," he said. "Be better than I am and try to set an example for the next ones, too."
If you talk to kindergarten teacher Sherry Thomas, she'll tell you Parlock is already instilling good qualities in her students, though they are four years away from being eligible for safety patrol.
"We talk to them about being responsible if they want to be on safety patrol," Thomas said. "They think it's a big honor. It is a very important job."
Parlock also is involved with Boy Scouts, hiking with his brothers and sisters, and the school's jump rope team and badminton club.
When he grows up, he would like to be a paleontologist, or someone who studies prehistoric life forms.
