Dozens of hands shot up when Blenman Elementary School students were asked if they knew βMiss Beverly.β
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.
βI never thought I would get it,β she said of the award. βI come out here to do what God tells me to do: to be nice, be kind, and help the kids.β
βEven though itβs hot, you know, I enjoy it,β she said. βI retired and I wanted to do something different and this is what Iβm doing.β
When asked what she planned to do with the $500, she quipped: βMe and Amazon and Ebay get along very nicely.β
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.
βShe seemed really friendly and personable,β Vinyard said. βShe took the job seriously, but was fun about it.β
Sarah Prasek manages the Safe Routes to School program for the Living Streets Alliance. She said Rabinowitz was the best candidate because she βsets a good example for the kidsβ and she βknows the kids really well.β