By SBCISD STAFF
This year marks the ninth that San Benito High School (SBHS) Special Services students are named honorary police officers with the San Benito CISD Police Department. The San Benito CISD Police Department, in collaboration with the school district’s Special Services Department recently honored the following students: Ricardo Vargas, Maria Salinas, Dylan Flores, Luis Andrade, Miguel Sanchez, Karla Rodriguez, Angel Lynn Rodriguez, Billy Jo Vela, Kimberly Leal, Estefania Cerda and Michael Balderas.
During the recognition ceremony, Balderas also received his high school diploma.
“Regardless of our conditions or our needs, we areall equal. We want our students to be equal. We love our kids here at San Benito High School — or at San Benito school district,” explains San Benito CISD Chief of Police Juan Sosa.
“Our main priority is to keep them safe here in school and to provide a good education,” he adds.
The Class of 2019’s honorary police officers received a police cap and a special certificate of recognition from the district’s police department; a wooden honorary police badge created by Career and Technical Education (CTE) Construction Technology students and teacher Candido Barrales; and a bag of goodies presented by Law Enforcement Club members and CTE Law Enforcement teacher David Means.
The event provided school district personnel and a variety of departments, SBHS Law Enforcement Club members, and community partners such as the Cameron County Constable’s Office to go the extra mile to brighten a child’s day.
It was all about teamwork.
“We’re considered a team, and we’re here for our kids,” said Sosa.
San Benito CISD Police Sergeant Norma Martinez added, “It’s a very special event. I think it humbles us and makes us better people. It helps us understand that the world is not as bad as we look at it all the time.”
Martinez explained that law enforcement work is not always pleasant, but events such as recognizing special needs students as honorary police officers helps create great memories.
