{"id":13243,"date":"2025-02-20T15:48:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T20:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=13243"},"modified":"2025-02-24T15:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T20:05:12","slug":"a-pleasant-surprise-for-cox-highs-school-resource-officer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/a-pleasant-surprise-for-cox-highs-school-resource-officer\/","title":{"rendered":"A pleasant surprise for Cox High’s school resource officer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Family, friends, colleagues and students surprised Cox High SRO in the school auditorium Feb. 12 for a special recognition.
From left, Lynnhaven Middle School SRO Dedria Bynam, Moran’s supervisor Sgt. Greg O’Hara, Cox junior Andrew Lupien, Moran and his children Faith, Bridget, Andrew and Lia Moran, retired police officer Amy Bierman, School Security Officer Jamie LaClaire and principal Dr. Michael Kelly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Cindy Butler Focke<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A dance battle between Cox High math teachers Dave Mackey, left, and Sean Duffy was the \u201caltercation\u201d that summoned SRO Christopher Moran to the auditorium for a special recognition event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christopher Moran was suddenly summoned to the Cox High School auditorium because of an \u201caltercation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The School Resource Officer(SRO) soon realized something else was up as he watched math teachers Sean Duffy and David Mackey enthusiastically compete in an onstage dance battle to the Michael Jackson song \u201cBeat It.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cDude. Be Nice.\u201d project was in the house Feb. 12 during Virginia Kindness Week.<\/p>\n

Founder Brent Camalich informed Moran and the students \u2014 who thought the assembly was about an upcoming leadership workshop \u2014 of the ruse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no altercation,\u201d he said. \u201cJust a celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe celebrate people who are doing positive things in their community,\u201d Camalich explained. And that person was Officer Moran.<\/p>\n

Members of the school\u2019s leadership workshop helped plan the surprise event.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cox High\u2019s jazz band played during a special Feb. 12 assembly honoring SRO Christopher Moran. Members of the school\u2019s leadership workshop organized the event with the \u201cDude. Be Nice\u201d project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The jazz band played, the Coquettes dance team performed, and Moran was escorted to the stage where a makeshift throne awaited.<\/p>\n

Several people spoke about him, including retired Virginia Beach police officer Amy Bierman, who worked with Moran for about 10 years and nominated him for the recognition.<\/p>\n

She praised her former colleague\u2019s sense of humor and sense of duty.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s respected here and has a great relationship with the kids,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Several people spoke about why SRO Christopher Moran was deserving of recognition by the “Dude. Be Nice” project, including Cox High junior Andrew Lupien.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cox High junior Andrew Lupien thanked Moran for always being there for him, especially after his mother passed away.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring a time of grief and uncertainty, you reminded me I was not alone,\u201d he told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for helping me during a tough time in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew presented Moran with a legacy ring from Herff Jones, a Cox Falcons jersey and several gift cards.<\/p>\n

Andrew, Faith, Lia and Bridget Moran also attended the event that honored their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe forms connections with kids,\u201d Lia said. \u201cThey rely on him a lot and go to him for advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moran\u2019s supervisor Sgt. Greg O\u2019Hara praised the SRO for his ability to relate to students.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe makes sure trust, respect and kindness prevail and strives to lead by example.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cox High SRO Christopher Moran was presented with a legacy ring during the surprise recognition celebration in the school auditorium Feb. 12 by the \u201cDude. Be Nice\u201d project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Moran said he was humbled by the recognition.<\/p>\n

He has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, including 10 as a New York City police officer. In fact, he was one of the first responders during the 9\/11 terrorist attacks.<\/p>\n

In 2002, he joined the Virginia Beach Police Department and has been the Cox High SRO for five years.<\/p>\n

What does he love about his job? \u201cThe interaction with the kids, by all means,\u201d Moran said.<\/p>\n

All situations are different, he said. \u201cYou have to have patience and leave the door open for them to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world needs more Officer Morans,\u201d Camalich said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need more people showing up for young people in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cDude. Be Nice.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>– Founder Brent <\/em>Camalich is a former television producer who said he was tired of reporting bad news and wanted to focus on the good. His apparel company \u201cDude. Be Nice\u201d produces a video series that highlights a community as it orchestrates and celebrates an amazing and unsuspecting person or group. To watch, visit <\/em>www.dudebenice.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cox High School’s SRO Christopher Moran was surprised and honored Feb. 12 in the school auditorium. Moran, who has been with the Virginia Beach Police Department since 2002, was recognized by the project “Dude. Be Nice.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joshua Gondrez filmed Brent Camalich as he led Cox High School students and staff in a cheer for SRO Christopher Moran who was honored at the school on Feb. 12. Gondrez and Camalich are from the “Dude. Be Nice” project which celebrates people doing positive things in their community.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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