DES student honored as inaugural ‘Junior Deputy for the Day’ by the OCSO

Destin Elementary School kindergartner Brooklyn C. is our first Books to Badges Volunteer Program "Junior Deputy for the Day" of this school year.  Her mom, Shandi, earned this privilege for her by completing 20 volunteer hours in the school's Media Center. By doing so she also provided an example of service to community for Brooklyn and all the other students at DES.

As reward for their service and effort in the volunteer program, parents get a designated parking spot the week their child is Junior Deputy. As the Junior Deputy for the Day, the student spends one-one-one time with Deputy Sonya (the School Resource Officer) learning about her job in public service. The Junior Deputies wear a special vest identifying them as such, shadow Deputy Sonya in her morning duties, have their name announced and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with school principal on the morning announcements, have their picture posted in the school cafeteria and Media Center, take their picture with the SRO and get a special certificate to take home.

Last year the Books to Badges Volunteer Program generated almost 500 volunteer hours of help in the school library. This year we are off to a great start with many parents and students putting in hours every day and working towards the Junior Deputy for the Day spot. 

At Destin Elementary, we know this program is a valuable asset in teaching our students good citizenship and positive character traits and greatly appreciate our parents and other family members helping us to do so.

— Deputy Sonya Shepard, Destin Elementary School Resource Officer