Under the shade of the Clermont Historic Village’s pavilion and trees Friday morning, crossing guards from across Lake County traded traffic for laughter, games, food and recognition during an appreciation picnic hosted by the California-based company All City Management Services (ACMS), better known to many as “The Crossing Guard Company.”

The event honored the men and women who spend school mornings and afternoons helping children and residents cross busy roads safely throughout unincorporated areas of Lake County and select cities, including Clermont, Eustis and Leesburg.

Canvas bags filled with goodies were handed out to every crossing guard in attendance, while several guards received special pins recognizing achievements in categories such as excellence and years of service presented by Team Supervisor Maritza Leon. Two guards were named Crossing Guards of the Year, receiving ACMS swag like mugs, windbreakers, and baseball caps, along with engraved plaques and $100 awards.

After the awards ceremony, attendees volunteers of the Clermont Historical Society waited to give the honorees a VIP tour of the museums.

But beyond the celebration, speakers repeatedly emphasized something many people may overlook: crossing guards do far more than simply stop traffic.

“They are heroes,” Team Leader Debbie Gonzales says. “They’re not there just to cross children. They’re a safe spot.”

Debbie said crossing guards often become trusted faces in their neighborhoods and school zones, watching for dangers many people never think about.

“They can stop even a potential kidnapping abduction or something,” Debbie says. “Their presence is so important. There’s so much more to the job that people don’t really realize.”

According to ACMS Operations Manager Brandon Hendrix, crossing guards are often among the first adults children see each school day.

“A lot of times, they are the 1st and the last friendly face that they see,” Brandon says.

Clermont Mayor Tim Murry attended the ceremony to personally thank the guards for their service.

“People don’t realize the value and the work they do out there, how important it is to keep our kids safe,” Tim says. “And it’s not just the kids either. They help other people in our community cross safely, too.”

Among those recognized as Crossing Guards of the Year was Carmen Reyes, who will mark 10 years as a crossing guard in December.

“I do this for the kids, for the safety of the kids,” Carmen says.

Carmen first served with the Kissimmee Police Department before transferring to ACMS two years ago when services changed over. Now working in Lake County, she says she was shocked and humbled to receive the honor.

“I feel very surprised, but happy at the same time,” she says.

Another guard recognized Friday was Bobette Larson, an eight-year crossing guard who works in the Sawgrass Bay area.

“I love it; I’ve always worked with children,” Bobette says, explaining that in the past, she’s worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. 

She says living close to her crosswalk has helped her build strong connections with neighborhood families.

“I know all the kids and I look at them just like they were my grandkids, so I watch out for them,” she says.

Jose Enrique Gonzales has only been a crossing guard since October 2025, but he already understands the seriousness of the job.

After moving to Lake County from Broward County with his wife for “a better way of life,” he took a crossing guard position near Sawgrass Bay along busy Highway 27.

He says one frightening moment happened just the day before the picnic.

A school bus had stopped with its lights flashing and stop sign extended while Jose stood in the intersection holding traffic for students crossing safely. Suddenly, he says, a vehicle sped around the stopped bus and through the intersection anyway, regardless of a red light.

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

But moments like that, he says, remind him how vigilant crossing guards must remain every second they are on duty, especially along heavily traveled roads where vehicles routinely travel 55 to 60 mph.

Jose says he often thinks about what could happen if crossing guards were not standing there protecting children.

He also says he was extremely touched during the holidays when students surprised him with Christmas cards and gifts to thank him for what he does.

For Debbie, the risks crossing guards face are very real.

“Sometimes people yell at or just curse at crossing guards because they want to get going, but they need to remember that they are just there to make sure that our community is crossing over safely,”  Debbie says. “You have people that are not paying attention, they’ll blow through a light, they’ll blow through their stop signs.” 

Then came the reminder that defined the celebration.

“They (crossing guards) are heroes,” Debbie says. “Guards can die, you know, so by taking this on, they’re saying without saying any words, ‘I give my life,’ and that’s really something…there’s no words to explain that.”

Photos by Roxanne Brown