It’s been a dramatic summer for law enforcement officers across the nation,
but one Topeka Public Schools student has found a way to offer some peace and
kindness to the district’s SRO’s.
Topeka High School senior Jaide Ramirez-Jennings hosted a
breakfast for all of TPS’s School Resource Officers this morning at Burnett
Center. She wanted them to know that she—and many others—appreciate all they do
for our schools and the community.
“They do a lot for us. They protect us every day and we
should give something back to them,” she said.
Jaide has spent much of her young life giving back to others
and has been recognized numerous times for her vast community service work. Since
she was just six years old Jaide has received the Yahoo! Purple Acts of Kindness
award, the Kansan Youth of the Year award, the Martin Luther King Living the
Dream youth award, the Golden City Service to Mankind youth award, the Kohl’s
Kids Who Care Scholarship, a NAACP youth award, the YOU ROCK award, and a
leadership award from AVID.
She will graduate from THS in December, then travel to
Newcastle, Australia for a 12-week missionary school program. After that, she
will perform missionary work before heading to Manhattan Christian College to
major in theology.
Jaide’s generous spirit really touched the hearts of the TPS
School Resource Officers who attended this morning’s breakfast.
THS SRO Steve Trembley said, “Things like this validate the
reason we chose to work in schools. It shows us that we do make a difference.”
Fellow officer Jeremy Leithoff said students like Jaide “make
school a more positive and enjoyable place to be.” He added, “Students like
Jaide rejuvenate me.”
THS Principal Rebecca Morrisey was also in attendance and
watched as Jaide thanked the officers for their many efforts in the district. “Young
ladies and gentlemen like Jaide make school a better place and give us hope for
a brighter future. She has taking serving others to a whole new level.”
Jaide was able to host the breakfast thanks to donations and
assistance from TPS staff members Dr. Jennifer Gordon, Leosha Giardina, Terri
Bailey, Sara Corwin and Rochelle King.
Thank you, Jaide, for all you do for Topeka Public Schools and the
Topeka community!
