Lawrence District To Honor School Resource Officer Ahead Of National Deployment

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Students from Lawrence High School will honor its beloved School Resource Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Austin, with a full-school “Clap-Out” celebration as he prepares for deployment to the Middle East with the National Guard.

The event will be held at 1:40 p.m. on Friday, school officials said.

Lt. Col. Austin has served the Lawrence High School community for more than four years. In addition to ensuring the safety and security of the school, he leads the school’s Project Prom DUI/Distracted Driver Program, empowering students to make smart, safe choices.

Called upon to serve the country abroad, Austin will take one final lap through the halls of Lawrence High School — not alone, but surrounded by the love and gratitude of the entire school community.

Led by the school’s vibrant marching band drumline, students and staff will line the hallways with handmade signs, heartfelt cheers, and emotional applause.

“Officer Austin is well known for the great connections he’s made with our students, their families, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Adam, Principal of Lawrence High School. “We will miss him tremendously, but we are extremely proud of him and his unwavering service to our country and the greater Lawrence Township community.”

“This is our way of showing Officer Austin how deeply appreciated and respected he is,” Clifford Williams, Assistant Principal, said. “His presence has made a lasting impact on our school, and we want him to feel the strength of our support as he embarks on this important mission.”

The clap-out will conclude with Austin exiting the front doors of the high school to a powerful show of unity and respect: a convoy of first responder vehicles saluting his service, just in time for afternoon dismissal.

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