For the past 23 years, Catherine Conoboy, Corporate Events Coordinator with the Waterloo Regional Police, has led the training of CAA’s School Safety Patrollers in her region. Conoboy was recently presented with the CAA School Safety Patrol® Program Achievement Award for her pivotal role in training future safety leaders. This award recognizes community partners who have made outstanding contributions to the program.

CAA’s School Safety Patrol program teaches children lifelong leadership skills, including navigating busy environments and responding confidently in emergencies. Every fall, Conoboy spearheads a training event for over 1,000 student Patrollers. Working closely with Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, Waterloo Regional Police, Fire Services, and Paramedics, Conoboy coordinates trainer attendance from each agency, including volunteers from the WRPS Auxiliary.

For those unable to attend the training sessions, Conoboy goes the extra mile by visiting schools to provide in-person training, highlighting her commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

“Catherine’s commitment to the CAA School Safety Patrol program over the past 23 years has been exceptional,” says Leslie Rocha, Community Program Consultant at CAA SCO. “Her leadership, collaboration with key partners, and dedication to student safety are truly the foundation of this program’s success.”

The impact of Conoboy’s efforts is evident in the significant increase in program participation in the Waterloo Region. The 2024/2025 school year saw 90 schools registering for the program—a substantial rise from the 44 schools in the previous year. In collaboration with the consortium, Conoboy has actively promoted the program to schools, aiming to surpass the pre-pandemic record of 103 participating schools.

Beyond training CAA's School Safety Patrollers, Conoboy invests significant effort in nurturing, recognizing, and incentivizing young safety leaders. Whether applying for the annual CAA subsidy or engaging with the three cities and four townships of the Waterloo Region, Conoboy has been a staunch advocate for the program since she became involved. She goes above and beyond to foster a culture of appreciation and create memorable experiences for Patrollers by organizing bi-annual appreciation events, such as movie days and pizza lunches, and by purchasing appreciation gifts at the conclusion of each school year.

“Witnessing these young Patrollers step up as role models for others, especially for those who are leaving their parents for the first time to travel to school, fills me with immense pride,” says Conoboy. “My goal has always been to nurture their leadership skills, instill self-confidence, and empower them to make a positive impact on their fellow students. I want each patroller to know how much they are appreciated by the entire community. Their hard work, dedication, and outstanding service do not go unnoticed.”

About the CAA School Safety Patrol Program For over 95 years, the CAA School Safety Patrol® program has advocated for the safety of children traveling to and from school and in school zones. It is a joint effort between CAA, the police, school boards, teachers, busing consortia, parents, and approximately 20,000 dedicated student volunteers. Approximately 1.4 million elementary school students in Ontario commute to and from school daily, making the CAA School Safety Patrol program more relevant than ever. For more information about the program and how to ensure safer school zones for everyone, visit www.caaschoolsafetypatrol.com.