Action by Crossing Guard

Juanita Hernandez, one of the crossing guards for the city of San Fernando who is assigned to San Fernando Elementary, saved many students from certain injury.

[Recently] some young men had stolen a car and were taking it for a joy ride. Apparently some San Fernando police officers noticed them driving erratically and started to pursue them. As they approached the school the officers slowed down. However, the young men did not. Unfortunately, all this was occurring just as the dismissal bell was about to ring.

But for the quick thinking of Hernandez, disaster was imminent. Hearing the roar of the speeding car and the screeching brakes, she locked the dismissal gate and told two boys on bikes to get off their bikes and run. Within seconds she witnessed the speeding car run over the two abandoned bikes. By that time, the dismissal bell had rung and many of our students were at the locked gate waiting to exit. After the police officers arrived, the two boys returned to retrieve their mangled bikes, too scared to complain about the condition.

I still get goose bumps thinking about what could have happened and am at a loss for words with Juanita. How can I adequately praise and honor her? She is truly a hero to us! I hope that somehow she can be recognized and commended for her heroic actions.

MARY MENDOZA, Principal, San Fernando Elementary School