The Gladys Abraham Elementary School presented 17 of its students with certificates of completion as they took the pledge to fulfill their duties as School Safety Patrol Officers. The ceremony, held in the school’s library on Wednesday, November 30, was facilitated by school and safety officials who saw the students through ABC (Anti-Bullying Champion) training in October.
The students, referred to as “Champions," were selected by administrators and during the week of October 24 to 28, attended a series of workshops and presentations from school crossing guards, VITEMA, and the VIPD. Workshops centered on topics including bullying, effective school patrol and conflict resolution. The students' primary function is to be the eyes and ears on campus to help maintain a safe and friendly school environment.
At the certification ceremony, the 17 Champions marched in to meet their parents, guardians, government officials and Gladys Abraham family. Principal Michelle Rogers-Bully opened the event with a prayer, which was followed by the Star Spangled Banner and the Virgin Islands March. Mrs. Bully then welcomed guests and expressed how proud she was of the students.
“Are they the best of the best? Yes, because at Abraham, that’s what we strive for with our Falcons,” Mrs. Bully told the audience. “I am proud of every one of you,” she continued, addressing the Champions. “When you get the parts for your uniform today, I expect that you’re going to lead with wisdom; I expect you to exercise patience. You’re not above the rest of your classmates, you all still wear pink and gray, but because something was seen in you and your capabilities, is the reason you’re sitting here today. I expect you to be wise and fair to your classmates.”
Several government agency employees attended and gave brief remarks. Officer Alston Dore of the VIPD; Roney George, supervisor of school crossing guards; Winifred Todman, director of Student Services; Irvin Mason, director of VITEMA and Carmen Hamilton of CRH & Associates all congratulated the students and offered them words of encouragement.
Vincent Henley, Gladys Abraham physical education teacher and ABC advisor, led students in the ABC pledge followed by the presentation of certificates. In addition, the students each received an orange safety patrol belt, a whistle, a notepad designed to document on-campus incidents, and two buttons indicating they are the school’s safety patrol.
On behalf of the ABC trainees, 6th grader Merlin Vetter thanked all of the parties involved in preparing and training the class to be safety patrol officers and leaders. He then reassured the audience that Gladys Abraham School is good and with the Champions' added responsibilities, they plan to make it better.
A special presentation was made by Mrs. Bully to Kathleen Wilson, ABC advisor, for Ms. Wilson's tireless work and creative approach to making the ABC program just right for Gladys Abraham.
“A program or anything that you do is only as well done as the persons who put it together, who follow up and who make it happen," Ms. Bully said. "For the school patrol, behind the committee, behind all of the planning, it must be somebody’s brainchild. It was the brainchild of Ms. Wilson. She had an excellent idea that she ran with."
The other ABC advisors are Karen Turnbull-Wheatley and Linnell Ad-Adil.
The newly inducted School Safety Patrol Officers and guests celebrated with cake to close out the ceremony.
The new ABC School Safety Patrol Student Officers at Gladys Abraham Elementary are:
Talamai Asim Donadelle
Shamariah Karema Edmead
Bernard Francis
Krisange’ Junir Fraites
Ashley Jean-Simon
Katana Ceazia Marie Jeter
Noah Lake
Malvin Marmolejos Camilo
Nathania Yovel McCarthy
Omary Leandro Noel
Victor Malachi Rogers
Kidane Kalei-I-Selas Stephens
Osai Amari Todman
Neasy Larimar Veras Carmona
Merlin Vetter
YoHan Amauris Villaianez Torres
N’Sai Eshiniq Ubiles
