Wethersfield High School students, from the left, Ashley Oliver, Madalyn Verscha, and Tinsley Newman, right, stop in their way to lunch Wednesday to congratulate longtime crossing guard Diane Groy on the commendation she received for her quick action in protecting students from a motorist who made an illegal left turn passing through the crosswalk Friday. [Photo by Dave Clarke]

Children sometimes would rather we didn’t, but they always need someone to watch over them.

That someone on Friday, Sept. 13, was Wethersfield crossing guard Diane Groy.

Children were crossing Tenney Street on their way to school around 8 a.m. Groy had turned the light green, stopping traffic in the north and southbound lanes of Tenney, allowing the students to cross four lanes and continue on McClure Street to school, in the next block.
While in the crosswalk she spotted a van continuing east from the left-hand turn lane on McClure and turning north in the direction of her and the students.

On Tuesday Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks presented Groy with a commendation which explained what happened next: “(Mrs. Groy) demonstrated quick thinking when she protected a group of children when a distracted driver approached the crosswalk on a turn. Diane ensured the children’s safety by positioning herself between them and the oncoming car. Her vigilance and dedication to her role prevented what could have been a severe accident.”

Wethersfield crossing guard Diane Groy stands by to make sure two students get across Tenney Street on their way back to class from lunch in approximately the same location where a van turned left from West McClure Street, in the background, narrowly missing Mrs. Groy and several students. [Photo by Dave Clarke]

Groy is no rookie, now in her 27th year as crossing guard at Tenney and McClure streets, which carries traffic on U.S. Route 34 and Illinois Highway 78, and is one of the busiest intersections in town, especially during daylight hours.

There is also heavy traffic on McClure Street before and after school with parents dropping off and picking up their children. Groy is stationed at the intersection before and after school and during lunch break to see that Wethersfield students make it to and from school and on a quick trip to restaurants and a convenience store across the street.

Groy controls when the students cross by pushing a button on the traffic light pole on the east side of the street which turns the east-west light green for about 30 seconds, during which time the students must get across the street.

Groy said a witness saw the driver of the van talking on her telephone as she turned the corner and kept going. He also got her license number and the incident was reported to Kewanee police.

Mrs. Groy also helps students, like these two grade schoolers, cross East McClure on their way home after school, and the crosswalk on the south side of the intersection, also used by students. [Photo by Dave Clarke]

The superintendent’s commendation continued: “Diane’s actions remind us all of the critical importance of road safety, especially near schools. Drivers must be vigilant at all times, but even more so in school zones where young lives are at stake. Distracted driving, whether from using a phone, adjusting the radio, or any other activity that takes attention away from the road, can have serious consequences.”

Drivers approaching the intersection are alerted that children may be crossing the highway by neon green signs a block south and north on Tenney. West McClure has not one, but two “Children Crossing” signs as drivers approach Tenney Street.

All four corners of the intersection have signs which read “No turning on red on school days when children are present.”

But, as The Kewanee Voice was taking a photo of two students crossing the street as Groy stood guard in the neon green and orange hazard vest she wears every day, a motorist ignored the “no turn on red” sign and turned west from Tenney onto McClure passing behind the students as they walked back from lunch.

Groy said that is not unusual. While she has not experienced an incident like the one last Friday, there have been close calls with motorists apparently thinking they have a right to pass through the intersection while students are mid-walk, as long as they avoid them.

As for distracted driving, she has seen motorists on their phones, applying their makeup and even eating a sandwich while they pass through. She said some impatient motorists honk at cars ahead of them stopped on East McClure because they are not turning right on red while children are present.

Crossing guard Diane Groy and a boy heading home from school on his bike Tuesday afternoon wait for the green light to allow them to safely cross the busy four-lane at Tenney and McClure streets. [Photo by Dave Clarke]

Dr. Brooks’ commendation continued: “We urge everyone to drive responsibly, particularly in areas with high foot traffic like school zones. Slow down, be alert, use your turn signals, and be prepared to stop when children and crossing guards are present. Diane’s actions serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of this, and we are incredibly grateful to have her protecting our children. Thank you, Diane, for your dedication, bravery, and the commitment you show every day to the safety of our students. You are a true hero in our community each and every day!”

Diane said she loves her job and takes it seriously. She said one of the crossing guards hired before her quit after a few days because she couldn’t take the stress. Diane said she now helps some of the children of former students she helped cross the street years ago. Groy has three grown children and one grandchild who is a first grader at Wethersfield Elementary.

Her action on Sept. 13 didn’t go unnoticed on Facebook. Here’s a sampling of the many comments:

“Diane was the crossing guard when I was in elementary there! She rocks! Thank you for always making sure our kids are safe when crossing that busy intersection! We appreciate you!” — Jamie O’Neill

“Thank you Diane! She loves these kids so much!” — Kami Branom

“For years she has safely walked my kids across that road. In the rain, snow, heat, and cold she is there. She is a guardian angel!
Thank you Diane, for keeping our children safe!” — Erica Verstraete