Sebring Local Schools was glad to present Sebring Village Police Chief Ray Harris and School Resource Officer Pedro Melendez with two awards for Excellence in School Safety and Community Engagement at their recent student awards ceremony at McKinley High School.
Sebring SRO Pedro Melendez was recognized for his exemplary service to the school and community with the “Excellence in School Safety Award,” for his commitment to developing close relationships with students across the district and creating a safe environment for learning.
"Officer Melendez's ability to connect to our student body allows him to curb and change behaviors in our schools before they escalate to larger problems,” said McKinley Principal Brian Clark. “The students trust him and feel safe in our buildings."
Sebring Village Police Chief Ray Harris was honored with the “Excellence in School Safety and Community Engagement Award” for Leadership and Strategic Safety Planning.
"Chief Harris plays an integral part of our strategic safety planning for our schools,” said Clark.
“He brings incredible expertise and experience with him to our monthly meetings and has regularly provided professional development to our faculty. He is a regular at our extra curricular events and has committed himself to keeping all of us safe in our daily lives. The village is very lucky to have a person of his caliber managing its police force."
They were both met with an auditorium full of applause from all of the Sebring McKinley students and families that have felt their impact of dedicated and superior service.
Chief Harris has been involved with Sebring Local Schools for 18 years, and Officer Melendez has served as the Student Resource Officer for the past three years.