Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-School Crossing Guard Unit

2014 Maybelle Rollins Award Recipients: School Crossing Guards Dorothy "Betty" Long, Denice Rigali, and Rebecca "Becky" King.

What:
Three Pinellas County school crossing guards have received the 2015 Maybelle Rollins Bradford Award for their dedicated service to the children of Pinellas County; this, as the award celebrates its 40th year.

When:
The awards luncheon was held Wednesday, April 22, 2015.

Where:
The awards luncheon was held at Bascom’s Chop House located at 3665 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater.

Why/How:
Three outstanding Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office School Crossing Guards have received the Maybelle Rollins Bradford Award for their dedicated service to Pinellas County school children.

Mrs. Freda Turner and her husband, Mr. Thomas Turner initiated the Maybelle Rollins Bradford Memorial Award for the Pinellas Sheriff’s School Crossing Guards 40 years ago in honor of her mother, Maybelle Rollins Bradford. The Turners began the recognition after observing the care and concern school crossing guards displayed in their contact with children every day. Mrs. Turner continued this tradition following her husband’s death in 1980. Mrs. Turner, who passed away three years ago, made arrangements through a trust to carry on the tradition in her mother’s honor.

The recipients were recognized for meeting several criteria, to include attendance, care of students at their crossing, hazards at the crossing, length of service and conduct. Each recipient received a $100 check, an engraved plaque and a recognition name plate on a larger plaque that will be on display at the Sheriff’s Office.

The following school crossing guards were honored this year:

Dorothy Long
Dorothy "Betty" Long has been a member of the School Crossing Guard Program since September of 2000. Betty has been assigned to several busy intersections and has spent the last 12 years assigned to the crossing guard post on 58th Avenue in front of Lealman Elementary School, where she is crossing over 150 students each afternoon. Over the years Betty has maintained an outstanding attendance record, having perfect attendance from 2009-2012 and also 2014.  Betty has also been the “go to” person when help is needed covering a middle school post. Betty has been cross-trained at seven other post locations in addition to her own.  Betty never says "no" when asked to help fill in, even at a moment’s notice. Betty has also worked the Summer Programs when needed as far back as 2001. Betty knows all her students and has a wonderful rapport with them, the parent drivers and the school staff.  She is well liked by her coordinator and fellow school crossing guards. Betty knows her job tasks and responsibilities and comes to work each day prepared to do the best job possible to keep her students safe.

Denice Rigali
Denice Rigali has been a member of the School Crossing Guard Program since August 2006. Denice has worked a variety of school crossing posts over the years, and handles herself well on the more challenging complex intersections working well with her partners.  Presently, Denice works a double shift at the school crossings located on 131 Street and 86th Avenue. This crossing is for both Bauder Elementary School and Seminole Middle School with over 400 students crossing each afternoon. This intersection is a very congested area and demands focused attention and the ability to react to the ever changing traffic patterns. Denice has also distinguished herself as someone who likes to help. When Denice worked the post on Seminole Blvd and 102 Avenue, she helped some of her students who did not have bicycles by purchasing used bicycles at garage sales, fixing them up and giving them to her students who were walking 1.6 miles to and from school each day.  Denice always handles herself in a professional manner when dealing with the public.  She has worked hard to cultivate a good rapport with her middle school students.  Denice works hard to keep her students safe and is a great asset to the program.

Rebecca King
Rebecca "Becky" King has been a member of the School Crossing Guard Program since March 2011. Becky began working the intersection of Tampa Road at C R 1 for Ozona Elementary School when she was hired.  She later relocated to Alderman Road and Belcher Road for Sutherland Elementary School.  Becky worked as part of the four guard team assigned to that crossing location. Becky was gracious enough to work an additional post on Alt 19 & Tampa Road when the program was short of personnel and working through the intersection widening and construction challenges. When an opportunity to do a permanent double shift presented itself, it was offered to Becky because of her adaptability and understanding of how each crossing works.  Becky then took the school crossing post located on Tampa Road and 15th Street for Ozona Elementary School and Palm Harbor Middle School, where she currently crosses 40 students per day.  Becky is a warm and friendly and has worked well with both elementary and middle school students. She does an excellent job there working well with her new partner and assisting with her training.  She has maintained a perfect attendance record in school years 2013 and 2014. She represents the agency well.

From left to right are: Rebecca "Becky" King, Denice Rigali And Dorothy "Betty" Long