Highland Terrace student selected to AAA Safety Patrol Hall of Fame

Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Photo, from left: Darrin Grondel (Washington Traffic Safety Commission), Janet Ray (AAA Washington), Iris Gayle Stearns (AAA School Safety Patrol Advisor of the Year), Lila Luthy, Jennifer Cook (AAA Washington) and Randy Dorn (Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Lila Luthy, a sixth grader at Highland Terrace Elementary in Shoreline, was inducted into the 2012 AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame earlier this month in recognition of her dedication to safety, community stewardship and leadership. This is the fifth straight year that a Highland Terrace student has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Mark Owen is the school's Safety Patrol advisor.

Luthy was one of 10 outstanding patrollers from across Washington to be recognized at the evening awards ceremony held at Safeco Field. As a long standing tradition, AAA Washington and a panel of judges from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission select top patrollers from schools across Washington each year and honor their accomplishments through induction in the AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame.

Patrollers are judged on their commitment to traffic safety, citizenship, leadership skills, and contributions to their school safety patrol. Nominations require input from both the patroller and their advisor, including responses to a series of essay questions. 

Luthy was chosen for her outstanding leadership as described below:

"Luthy is not only an outstanding patroller, she has made an impact on her community through her positive attitude and commitment to helping others. She is always eager to help teach proper safety practices and has been spotted helping fellow patrollers on numerous occasions. Luthy treats her peers with great respect and values the importance of thanking others for their hard work, making a habit of saying 'thanks for your service' each day. Her leadership skills, positive attitude and attention to others applies in the classroom as well. Luthy is known as a go-to person and is eager to help other classmates as challenges arise. She looks for ways to include everyone and leads by example to turn negative emotions into positive actions. Luthy is not only a role model in traffic safety but a respected leader among her peers."

Family, friends and community leaders were joined by more than 800 patrollers and family members to honor the 10 inductees at the Seattle Mariners game, including 90 from Highland Terrace. After a private awards ceremony the 10 patrollers were recognized before the game on-field for their achievements, followed by dinner, dessert and a visit from the Mariner Moose.

AAA created the School Safety Patrol more than 90 years ago and partners with local agencies to bring the program to elementary schools across Washington. The safety patrol has been credited with being a major contributor to the substantial reduction in fatalities of school age children (ages 5-14).