By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced the winners of the 2026 Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Awards, recognizing crossing guards, schools and community organizations that help students travel safely to and from school across the Commonwealth.
The annual awards program, which began in 2021 through MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program, highlights the role crossing guards play in protecting students and families while promoting pedestrian safety in communities statewide.
This year’s Crossing Guard of the Year award was presented to Sagario Ortiz, who has worked as a crossing guard since 2017. Ortiz previously served at the Gardner Pilot Academy and currently works at the Winship Elementary School in Brighton. According to MassDOT, she received 74 nominations from students, parents, caregivers, faculty and staff members who recognized her positive spirit and dedication to the school community.
“Crossing guards are essential to the safety of students walking to and from school,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Under the Healey-Driscoll administration, safety has been at the center of everything we do at MassDOT, and the Safe Routes to School Awards highlight all of the members who work daily to keep our young people safe. Their dedication, vigilance, and kindness give families peace of mind and make them trusted pillars in our communities. I congratulate all of our award winners for their contributions and thank and honor our community partners for their commitment to creating safe environments that help our young people thrive and succeed.”
MassDOT said more than 450 nominations were submitted this year for 74 crossing guards serving in 40 communities. The nomination process included a dedicated Crossing Guard Appreciation Day held in March and invited school faculty, staff, parents and community members to recognize individuals who demonstrate a commitment to student safety and community involvement.
Award winners were honored during the Annual Safe Routes to School Awards Ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House.
Among those recognized was Alvin Montalvo of Argosy Collegiate Charter School in Fall River, who received an Honorable Mention award.
Crossing Guard Champion awards were presented to Cheryl Williams of the Morse School in Cambridge, Deb St. Germain of Horace Mann Elementary School in Melrose, and Brekton Drougas and Marge Barnett of Bridge Street Elementary School in Northampton.
The Peabody School Safety Task Force received the Community Collaboration Award, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate strong partnerships among schools and community stakeholders while advancing the goals of the Safe Routes to School program.
Several schools were also recognized through the Exemplary Programs by Region awards. Sunderland Elementary School received the Western Region award, while Vernon Hill School in Worcester earned the Central Region honor. Butler Middle School in Lowell received Central Region Honorable Mention recognition. Washington S.T.E.M. Elementary School in Lynn earned the Northeast Region award, and Beethoven Elementary School in Boston received Northeast Region Honorable Mention. Forestdale Elementary School in Sandwich was recognized as the Southeast Region winner.
MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program is sponsored by the agency and funded through the Federal Highway Administration. The program promotes safer routes for students to walk, bike and roll to school by fostering partnerships among local organizations, law enforcement agencies, schools and public health departments.
According to MassDOT, the program currently serves more than 1,300 schools in over 285 Massachusetts communities and focuses on pedestrian and bicycle safety while providing resources that support local safety initiatives for students and families.