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The AAA School Safety Patrol™ Lifesaving Medal is the highest honor given to members of the School Safety Patrol Program. This award is presented annually by AAA to patrol members who, while on duty, save the life of someone in imminent danger.

Just before the start of this year's race on May 25, lifesavers Nicole Epstein, a AAA School Safety Patroller from Chevy Chase, Md., and Clarissa Sourada, of Clifton, Va., will present the official green flag to honorary starter Floyd Mayweather Jr., who will wave it moments later to begin the 92^nd Indianapolis 500.

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis 500 have been leaders in safety innovation for nearly 100 years, so we consider it a privilege to honor these young heroes on Indianapolis 500 Race Day," said Joie Chitwood, president and COO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Nicole and Clarissa will get the VIP treatment and the thrill of a lifetime taking part in pre-race ceremonies before the start of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'"

AAA School Safety Patrol members were first honored at the "500" in 2007.

Mayweather, a world champion boxer in five weight classes, will wave the green flag to send the field of 33 drivers in action on the famous 2.5-mile speedway. The race will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. (ET) on ABC, the IMS Radio Network and XM Satellite Radio.

Epstein, an AAA School Safety Patroller from North Chevy Chase Elementary, was on patrol in June 2007. While patrolling an intersection with heavy traffic, Epstein acted quickly to pull an 8-year-old boy to safety. The traffic light had turned green, and the boy began crossing the road. Epstein, seeing an oncoming car, grabbed the boy's backpack and pulled him to safety just before the vehicle turned where the boy was trying to cross. Without Epstein's intervention, this boy would have been hit by the vehicle.

Sourada is an AAA School Safety Patroller at Union Mill Elementary. On a rainy morning last February, Sourada assisted a crossing guard at a crosswalk across from her school. The 11-year-old patroller spotted a vehicle backing out of a driveway and heading straight toward a brother and sister. Sourada yelled for the children to watch out, and the 11-year-old boy moved out of the way. However, his 7-year-old sister was confused by what was going on and remained in the vehicle's path. Sourada quickly grabbed the girl and pulled her to safety as the driver continued to back out into the roadway—never appearing to see the children he nearly struck.