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, says John McGraw, the program’s director.

The goal of “Do The Right Thing” is to reinforce positive behavior among youths and to establish students as role models for their peers, he said. “Do The Right Thing” partners law enforcement, local government, the business and Lee County educational community together in an effort to make a lasting positive impact on our community’s young adults.

Those honored in the East Zone on May 20 included:

Stephen McCarkle of Lehigh Acres. a second grade student at Sunshine Elementary School.

He was honored because he came up with almost $10.69 when he went home and dug into his savings. He gave $10.69; $2.45 in nickels and 824 pennies. When he asked him if he was sure he could give this much, he explained, “He really wanted to help the parents who wanted to stay close to their children. His example caught on and many others followed his example of bringing in change for Pennies for the Heart.

Alexis Sylvia of North Fort Myers, an eighth grade student at Varsity Lakes Middle School, was honored she donated 50 books, personal hygiene products and other items to troops in Iraq and she also donated 50 books to her classroom library. She was cited for her generosity.

Jessica Stith of Lehigh Acres, an eighth grade student at Varsity Lakes Middle School, was honored because she has bagged food for the homeless and helped distribute the food with her parents. She also participated in a Walk for Cystic Fibrosis this year.

Breahna Claytor of Alva, a sixth grade student at Alva Middle School, was honored that she had turned in a girl’s bracelet that she had found in the locker room at school.

Aubrey Rubush of Lehigh Acres, a sixth grade student at Alva Middle School. found a ring in a locker room at school and immediately turned it it to school authorities.

Kiara Suarez of Lehigh Acres, a senior student at Lee Alternative Charter High School was honored because has become an outstanding students since she entered the high school. She has volunteered and organized all of the fundraising events, for the school, related to honoring students who are graduating. She also goes out of her way to translate the Spanish to English for the new students while she makes herself available to help the school staff.

Do The Right Thing Schools of the Year 2009-2010:

Each month throughout the 2009-2010 school year, the schools honored have actively participated in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “Do the Right Thing” Student Recognition Program. They have used the “Do the Right Thing” program to reinforce positive behavior among children and to establish students as role models for their peers. They have been keenly aware of positive behavior, choices and actions as articulated by the “Do the Right Thing” Program and have acknowledged and rewarded this, McGraw said. This year’s winners are:

Elementary School Level – Bayshore Elementary School

Middle School Level – Alva Middle School

High School Level – Cypress Lake High School