Tampa Bay 5th Grader is the Florida "AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year"

Downloadable Interview w/ Sophie Cuviello

If you pass by your local elementary school, you may see students adorned with neon green safety belts. They’re part of the AAA School Safety Patrol® program and each one of them is committed to helping fellow classmates get to class safely. The program has reduced injuries and fatalities among children. It has also shaped students with life-long lessons of leadership, responsibility and good citizenship.  

Every year, AAA recognizes one outstanding patroller from each state. Nominees must submit an essay demonstrating how they have gone above and beyond to keep themselves and others safe and improve the wellbeing of peers. Judges reviewed each applicant’s leadership qualities, safety skills, school involvement, and dedication to citizenship and volunteerism.

Sophie Cuviello of Oakstead Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes is the Florida “AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year” for the 2023-24 school year. She is one of thousands of Florida students who participated in the AAA School Safety Patrol program this year and it is a huge accomplishment for Sophie to receive this recognition.

In addition to her Patrol duties, Sophie Cuviello served as a reading buddy to kindergarten students, donated her time to local volunteer agencies, and is incredibly active with other school-related activities such as being a member of chorus and the ball hockey team.

“Participating in the AAA School Safety Patrol program has helped me as I am moving into sixth grade, because it has shown me different ways to interact with students and learn more responsibility,” Cuviello said. “I am thankful for my time as a Safety Patrol at Oakstead. It has shown me the traits a leader should have and how good it feels to be able to help others.”

“Sophie Cuviello is a tremendous representative of the AAA School Safety Patrol program and very deserving of this award,” said Michele Harris, Florida Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “She exemplifies the leadership qualities and safety skills of a great safety patroller. We are proud of Sophie’s contributions and are thrilled to have her represent the program.”

AAA School Safety Patrol® Program

The AAA School Safety Patrol program is the largest safety program in the world! Each year, more than 679,000 children participate at over 35,000 schools throughout the country. For over 100 years, AAA has sponsored the AAA School Safety Patrol program, which instills students with a sense of responsibility, leadership and citizenship. AAA provides an array of equipment and material, including electric-lime fluorescent belts, nickel plated steel badges and training for the AAA School Safety Patrollers. When properly uniformed and trained, they can assist their grade school classmates by ensuring their safety to and from school every day. The program has been praised by safety and education groups around the globe for reducing injuries and deaths among 5-to-14-year-olds, the age group most at risk for pedestrian injury. In addition to keeping students safe, the program teaches lifelong lessons of responsibility, leadership and good citizenship. AAA School Safety Patrol members are school-sponsored student volunteers from upper elementary grades, middle and junior high schools. Patrollers direct children, not traffic. As school-age leaders in traffic safety, patrol members teach other students about traffic safety on a peer-to-peer basis. They also serve as models for younger children, who look up to them.

School Safety Patrollers:

• Complete training in traffic safety.
• Protect students from hazards of crossing roads and highways on their way to and from school.
• Assist bus drivers in safely transporting students to and from school.
• Teach fellow students about traffic safety.
• Serve in other leadership roles under the direction of school officials.

Typically, teachers and principals appoint patrol members, who participate with parental approval. A teacher usually serves as the patrol advisor. Local law enforcement officers may also be involved with patrols. Click here to learn more.