Several students from Lehigh, Alva honored

By Staff | Dec 1, 2009

Humanitarian concern, honesty, integrity, positive decision making and heroism was recognized during the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s third “Do The Right Thing” Awards Ceremony of the school year.

The ceremony was held Thursday Nov. 19 in the Board Room of the School Board of Lee County, Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

Each month throughout the 2009-2010 school year, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office honors the positive actions of our community’s students through the “Do The Right Thing” student recognition program.

The following students attend schools in Lehigh and Alva. Several other students from schools in other areas of the county were also recognized.

Travis Willis of Fort Myers is a fourth grade Student at Mirror Lakes Elementary School in Lehigh.

Principal Karen Holliday said that while riding the bus to school one day, Willis saw another boy pulling a small bottle of liquid from his backpack. He told Travis to smell his breath, that it smelled like alcohol. The boy offered the bottle to others, they all refused. He then turned to Travis and offered him the bottle for a drink several times, and several times Travis refused, repeatedly suggesting he put it away before he got into trouble.

When Travis got off the bus he found the assistant principal and told her about the incident on the bus. “Even though Travis was faced with a peer pressuring him to drink alcohol, he refused and reported the incident to school administration. He chose to use great courage and compassion in doing the right thing, preventing his friend from causing harm to himself and others,” Holliday said in a nomination letter.

Trenton Pulcher of Fort Myers is a fourth grade Student at Alva Elementary School.

Reading Specialist Cynthia McWalter wrote in her nomination letter that Trenton found a touch screen cellular telephone on the bus ramp at school. After he found it he took it to the nearest teacher at Alva Middle School.

“He brought it to me and told me what happened. Trent was very proud of the fact that he was able to locate and turn in the cell phone. He knew that if he had lost his cell phone he would be very upset and would hope that someone would return it to him,”

McWalter said.

Jacob Gaines of Lehigh Acres is a fifth grade Student at Sunshine Elementary School.

Kindergarten Teacher, Rose Erdstein wrote that “Jacob Gaines has shown great behavior and leadership in school. He came to kindergarten and began helping children all on his own. He is so helpful. He joined the Safety Patrol at school, and is a big help in Kindergarten. I’m recognizing him because he is a role model to the children at school.”

Landon Reigelman of Alva is a sixth grade student at Alva Middle School.

Assistant Principal Peggy Mendez Slichter wrote in her nomination letter that “Landon is a very dedicated sixth grade student who has had a friend by the name of Patrick Renton. Previously, Patrick attended Alva Elementary School and would have attended Alva Middle School, but because of extreme unfortunate circumstances, Patrick moved to New Jersey.

“Patrick had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had a limited time to live. He had been fighting cancer almost all his life. He was a sociable and outgoing boy who was loved by many including Landon. If it had not been for Patrick’s deadly cancer he would have been in the same classrooms sitting with his friend Landon.

“Landon came to me and asked if he could go from classroom to classroom in order to get Patrick’s other friends to sign his ‘Friends Forever’ book. He talked about his friendship with Patrick, and how it was important to him that he did this for Patrick. It gave me great joy and at the same time sadness to give him permission to do this. Landon’s dedication to his friend Patrick was very admirable,” Slichter wrote.

Patrick Renton died this past November 16, said John McGraw, who heads the Do The Right Thing program.

Ania Madias of Lehigh Acres is a seventh grade student at Alva Middle School.

School staff member Laurie Howard wrote in her nomination letter that “Ania witnessed a student choking, and performed the Heimlich maneuver.” Her prompt actions potentially saved a life that day, McGraw said.

Eddie Chamberlain of Lehigh Acres is a eighth grade student at Alva Middle School.

ESE Team leader Carol Carroll wrote in her nomination Letter that “Eddie reported vandalism that was about to be carried out at school. Due to his attention and quick actions, potential problems were stopped and damage avoided.”

Matthew Doeberl of Fort Myers is an eighth grade student at Alva Middle School.

Resource Officer, Deputy Bill Patton nominated Doeberl and wrote that “The seventh Grade Social Studies Teacher at Alva Middle School, Linda Brown, had injured herself and was having a difficult time getting around in class. Brown had not had the opportunity to make an appointment and see a doctor.

“Matthew observed this and wanted to help in some way. He went home and was able to locate a walking cane and brought it to school and gave it to Brown. This helped her mobility greatly. Matthew’s actions reflect a concerned and caring heart.”

Shane Colyer of Lehigh Acres is a sixth grade Student at Alva Middle School.

School Resource Officer, Deputy Bill Patton wrote in his nomination letter that “it was the end of the school day when Shane was exiting the boy’s locker room and found an expensive cellular telephone on the floor. Shane located the owner and returned the telephone. The telephone was valued at $250. Shane demonstrated great honesty and integrity. He is a good role model to other students.”

Mariana Albino of Lehigh Acres is a 12th grade student at East Lee County High School.

School Resource Officer Cpl. Garfield Young wrote in his nomination letter that “at a high school football game, Marianna found a car idling with the keys and wallet clearly visible inside. She put all selfishness aside and sought out a deputy and advised them of what she had observed. Her actions reflected a deep concern for the well being of others property and the safety of the community.”