More than 300 Grande Prairie students are being recognized for keeping their fellow classmates safe. This year, the Alberta Motor Association posted the grade five and six students at crosswalks in the area to make sure other students got to and from school safely.
To reward their commitment, AMA threw them a pizza and pool party at the Eastlink Centre on Tuesday.
One of those students was Hudson Clayton. The grade six has been a patroller for two years and says he’s enjoyed his time in the program.
“It’s just to keep kids safe mostly and it’s really fun. You get to meet new people, do fun things, go to cool places and just keep people safe.”
The program has been going on in Grande Prairie since 1957. Before and after school, the patrollers make sure its safe for younger students to cross the street. Along with increasing safety around schools, Coordinator Shelley Biendarra says it also grows leadership skills.
“I always say today you’re patrollers, tomorrow you’re leaders. Our mayor was a patroller, I was a patroller, I know police officers and teachers who were patrollers, it’s a great program.”
Over 500 students from places like Grande Prairie, High Level, Manning and Peace River take part each year.