Blenman Elementary crossing guard tops of the year

The question came as students gathered for their weekly meeting Monday and was followed by cheers for Beverly Rabinowitz when she was named Crossing Guard of the Year for Pima County by AAA.

Rabinowitz, 65, received a plaque and $500, presented by Valerie Vinyard of AAA. The motorist association has given out the awards for the past nine years. Blenman Elementary, 1695 N. Country Club Road, also received $500.

Rabinowitz, 65, has helped school children make their way safely across the streets for the past three years.

“I never thought I would get it,” she said of the award. “I come out here to do what God tells me to do: to be nice, be kind, and help the kids.”

“Even though it’s hot, you know, I enjoy it,” she said. “I retired and I wanted to do something different and this is what I’m doing.”

When asked what she planned to do with the $500, she quipped: “Me and Amazon and Ebay get along very nicely.”

The crossing guards were ranked on their professionalism, courtesy and friendliness, Vinyard said.

Vinyard made incognito visits to each of the nominees for the award and was impressed with how Rabinowitz got along with the students.

“She seemed really friendly and personable,” Vinyard said. “She took the job seriously, but was fun about it.”

Sarah Prasek manages the Safe Routes to School program for the Living Streets Alliance. She said Rabinowitz was the best candidate because she “sets a good example for the kids” and she “knows the kids really well.”