Duval County student wins National AAA Patroller of
the Year Award
Grades are not always an accurate measure of a school's or student's potential. Cynetra Tolen, fifth grader at Carter G. Woodson Elementary School, defeats the odds and proves that with determination, anything can be accomplished. Her dedication to her role as an AAA School Safety Patrol won her the first place honor as the AAA National Patroller of the Year. Only one deserving patrol member in AAA Auto Club South territory - Fla., Ga., Tenn., and Puerto Rico - wins the annual award.
Of her patrol experience, Cynetra says, "It has helped me be a better student and person; it has instilled in me the sense of pride, responsibility, and dependability."
At 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 29, AAA Auto Club South will present Cynetra with an official certificate of achievement during the school's Black History Month celebration in the cafeteria. Cynetra will also receive an all expense paid trip for her and two guests to Washington, D.C., May 3 to 5, where she will be honored along with other AAA club award recipients. Patrollers, advisors and families nationwide are encouraged to view the award event via live webcast at
www.visualwebcaster.com/aaasafetypatrol at 10:30 am EDT, May 5, 2008.
Among the excitement of being chosen to receive the award, the trip to D.C. will be Cynetra's first time on an airplane.
"I'm very excited about the award, but I'm looking forward to my first flight too," said Cynetra.
The award is also a first for Carter G. Woodson Elementary School, which received a failing grade from the state for the 2006-2007 school year. However, Cheryl Gaston, principal at the school insists that the grade is no indication of the potential and talent the students possess. To further the advancement of the AAA School Safety Patrol program, the school will receive a $200 advancement grant to expand their current patrol programs.
"Don't give up on our students. Even students in failing schools can produce positive results. Cynetra has shown us that is possible," said Gaston.
Kimberly Thomas, AAA School Safety Patrol Advisor, says her patrollers can learn plenty from Cynetra's accomplishment.
"It gives the students something to look forward to and work towards," said Thomas who alongside, Mack Roberson, has been co-advisor for four years.
The AAA National Patroller of the Year Award was introduced in 2002 to recognize patrollers that best exemplify leadership qualities and perform their duties effectively and responsibly. Winners of this prestigious award are selected from a pool of Patrollers nationwide.
"We are pleased to reward Cynetra for all her hard work. Her leadership skills and understanding of the importance of her role as a patrol are impressive," said Leticia Messam, Manager, Traffic Safety Programs, AAA Auto Club South.
AAA Auto Club South is the fourth largest affiliate within the AAA federation with 74 branches serving 4.1million members in Florida, Georgia, the western two-thirds of Tennessee and Puerto Rico. Since its founding in 1938, AAA Auto Club South has worked to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve travel safety.
