Malden’s Gina Hayes named Massachusetts’ Crossing Guard of the Year’

Local Ferryway School safety guard was chosen from about 450 nominations

By Steve Freker

Malden’s Gina Hayes has been recognized with a prestigious statewide honor: “Crossing Guard of the Year” for 2025 in Massachusetts. Hayes, who is stationed daily at the Ferryway K-8 School, was officially selected and notified of the honor in May. This week, she was formally recognized at a ceremony hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. The winners of the 2025 Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Awards were honored at the State House. Attending the ceremony were Malden state Rep. Paul Donato, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and Ward 7 Councillor Chris Simonelli.

The annual contest, which began in 2021 soon after the Safe Routes to School Program was established, seeks to recognize and highlight the important role crossing guards play in helping students and families safely travel to schools. “Crossing guards are essential to the safety of students walking to and from school,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Their dedication, vigilance, and kindness give families peace of mind and make them trusted pillars in our communities. Through the Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Awards, we’re proud to honor their vital contributions.”

“We are very proud of Gina [Hayes] and the commitment and dedication she shows in helping keep our Malden students safe and protected,” said Councillor Simonelli, who represents the families of many Ferryway School students on the City Council.

“Those are some of the busiest streets and intersections in Malden around the Ferryway School,” Councillor Simonelli added, pointing to Ferry and Cross Streets. “We need Gina and other respected crossing guards out there for our kids.”

According to a Safe Routes spokesperson, this year’s crossing guard appreciation campaign began with nominations submitted from partnering school communities and included a dedicated Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which was held this past March. More than 450 nominations were submitted for 120 crossing guards who work in 43 communities.

Representatives from SRTS partner schools, including school faculty and staff, parents and community members, completed an online nomination form asking the following questions: “How does your crossing guard go above and beyond to keep students safe? How is your crossing guard special? Do they do anything unique that makes them stand out? Does your crossing guard participate in any school/community events? How many years have they been a crossing guard?”

In addition, nominators were encouraged to upload photos of their crossing guards in action. Nominations were evaluated by the Safe Routes to School team and MassDOT based on stories of safety and dedication to their job.

  The program award categories, successful recipients and school affiliations for this year’s contest are as follows:

—Crossing Guard of the Year: Gina Hayes – Ferryway School in Malden.

—Honorable Mention: Bridget and Gerry Buckley – Warren-Prescott School in Boston.

Crossing Guard Champions:

Jill Boyd – Mary E. Flaherty School in Braintree.

Lie-Mei Ho – Underwood Elementary School in Newton.

Soleil Hanger – Conte Community School in Pittsfield.

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The Massachusetts SRTS Program, sponsored by MassDOT and with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, promotes safer routes for students to walk, bike and roll to and from school by fostering partnerships between community-led organizations, local law enforcement, education leaders and public health departments. The program currently serves more than 1,200 schools in more than 280 communities — including Malden — across the Commonwealth. Through these partnerships, the Massachusetts SRTS Program highlights the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety. SRTS also provides information, materials and resources to support schools and communities with their local SRTS initiatives.

  For more information on Massachusetts Safe Routes to School, visit

  www.mass.gov/safe-routes-to-school