Florida Department of Transportation Honors Crossing Guards on Florida School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day 2026

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proud to celebrate Florida School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on Friday, February 6, 2026, honoring the men and women who are essential to keeping students and families safe while traveling to and from school, especially those who walk or bike. Thousands of dedicated crossing guards across Florida promote safe driver and pedestrian behaviors, helping advance Target Zero, Florida’s mission to bring the number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero.

“Florida’s crossing guards play an essential role in safety, selflessly protecting children as they travel to and from school,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “FDOT is proud to honor their dedication and the service they provide to parents, schools, and communities across the state.”

As part of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, FDOT recognizes school crossing guards from around the state that have gone above and beyond their normal duties through the School Crossing Guard Awards. This year’s award recipients are: 

2025 Florida School Crossing Guard of the Year

• Minnie Alexander, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office | Minnie exemplifies professionalism as a school crossing guard through her dedication to safety, reliability, and positive interactions with students, parents, and colleagues. She ensures that students cross the street safely, teaching them the importance of following rules and paying attention to their surroundings. At the same time, her friendly greetings, smiles, and kind words make children feel welcome and secure. Her enthusiasm for community involvement, support of student activities, and genuine care for those around her reflect a steadfast positivity that inspires others and brightens the daily lives of everyone she interacts with.

2025 Florida School Crossing Guard of the Year – Extra Mile Award

• Cheryl Ruckdeschel Huggins, St. Petersburg Police Department | Cheryl is one of those people that goes through life seeing the needs of others and taking action to get those needs met. She works hard to make a safer environment for the students, checking all her school zones for something that may interfere with a child’s walk to and from school. She educates the students on pedestrian safety, making sure they are walking away with lifetime knowledge of how to stay safe. Cheryl has never said ‘no’ to helping and always goes out of her way, whether it is covering posts or generously providing items to her students and colleagues in need.
  

2025 Florida School Crossing Guard Program of the Year

• Corporal Lawrence Kolbicka, Pinellas Park Police Department | The Pinellas Park Police Department takes pride in its School Crossing Guard Program, which goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of students and the community. Their guard training and appreciation programs are exceptional and consistently maintain high standards. This commitment ensures that every Crossing Guard is prepared, appreciated, and dedicated to protecting the community’s children. This program prioritizes safety whether it’s attention to uniforms, equipment, or infrastructure improvements. Through local community education and safety campaigns, they build a safer environment for all.

FDOT encourages drivers to join in recognizing crossing guards and their steadfast commitment to public safety and education by practicing safe driving behaviors. When approaching a school crosswalk, look for the hero in the reflective vest. Drive safely near schools and crosswalks by reducing speeds, eliminating distractions, and coming to a complete stop where required.

To further demonstrate its steadfast commitment to public safety and education, Florida continues to take a leading role in developing and implementing robust school crossing guard training guidelines that position these guards to safely and effectively perform their work across the state. The Ramon Turnquest School Crossing Guard Act mandates comprehensive training for all guards, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in safeguarding our schoolchildren. FDOT, in collaboration with local law enforcement and partners, actively works towards enhancing the skills and capabilities of these vital community members. Learn more about the Florida School Crossing Guard Training Program. 

We celebrate these dedicated individuals and recognize that they are counting on us to do our part in driving responsibly and obeying crossing guard instructions to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.