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

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

Those chosen from the eastern part of Lee County, including Lehigh and Alva included:

Vianey Hernandez of Lehigh Acres is a fourth grade student at Bayshore Elementary School.

Secretary Donna Fischer wrote in the nomination letter that “Vianey was shopping at the Santa’s Workshop at school when she found $20. She immediately turned it in. She was very honest and helpful. We were able to find who had lost the money and they were then able to do their shopping.”

Alejandro Martinez of Lehigh Acres is a kindergarten student at Manatee Elementary School.

Kindergarten Teacher Mollie New wrote in the nomination letter that “Alejandro is a wonderful, smart five-year-old boy. He comes to school every morning with a big smile to greet me at the door. He is always using his manners and is the first person to watch for other students in need of help. He picks up trash after others, helps with work, lets people get in front of him in line and much more. Today he saw another student that was cold and did not have a coat. He took his coat off and offered it to the other boy. He told me that he didn’t need the coat anymore because the other boy did. He is a wonderful example for all young students.”

Tristan Flint of Lehigh Acres is a fourth grade student at G. Weaver Hipps Elementary School.

Paraprofessional Katherine Dion wrote in the nomination letter that “I witnessed Tristan display remarkable honesty while she and I happened to be at the same doctor’s office. Tristan went to the restroom and came out with a handful of money that she had found on the floor. She gave the money to her mother, who in turn gave it to the doctor. I was so impressed. I believe Tristan displayed a level of honesty that many people may not have displayed. I am absolutely certain that Tristan did do the right thing.”

Leonardo Martinez of Lehigh Acres is a fifth grade student at Harns Marsh Elementary School.

Paraprofessional Cindy Cortes wrote in the nomination letter that “Leonardo is one of the School Patrol students. He is very well behaved and is always helping out our little kindergarten and first grade students. Leonardo was not on patrol at the time – he was eating breakfast with his sister, on his way to dump his breakfast tray when he found $30. He picked it up and immediately gave the money to me. This is the second student that found money and turned it in to school authorities.”

Heather Chisum of Alva is an eighth grade student at Alva Middle School.

Resource Officer Deputy Bill Patton wrote in the nomination letter that “during the class change time, Heather found $90 on the floor in the classroom. She, without hesitation, immediately turned it in to the school office. The money belonged to another student. It was the student’s lunch money.”

Caden Gulmy of Fort Myers is a Sixth Grade student at Alva Middle School.

Alva Middle School Physical Education teacher Ms. Margaret Spradlin wrote in the nomination letter that “Caden saw a dog running loose in his neighborhood. Even though it was raining heavily, Caden decided to catch the dog and return it to its owner. Caden efforts were successful and the dog was returned to its owner, an elderly woman.”

Robert Townsend of Lehigh Acres is an eighth grade student at Alva Middle School.

School Resource Officer Deputy Bill Patton wrote in the nomination letter that “while Robert was changing classes he found an expensive touch-screen cellular telephone. It was valued at approximately $300. Robert attempted to find the owner of the telephone and had no results. Robert came to me during the next class change and turned in the telephone. It is not very often that a student would turn in an expensive cellular telephone. I am recommending Robert for the do the right thing award for his honesty and integrity.”

Shane Alexander Farnan of Lehigh Acres is an eighth grade student at Alva Middle School.

School Resource Officer Deputy Bill Patton wrote in the nomination letter that “Shane volunteers in the front office at school. Shane helps the school staff with paperwork, answering the telephone and running errands for the teachers. Shane is also a member of the Honor Roll Society, and finds time for his studies. He is always lending a helping hand when needed.”

Courtney Gamble of Lehigh Acres is an eighth grade student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.

Language Arts Teacher Sarah Ferguson wrote that “Courtney volunteered 24 hours at St. Raphael Church. Courtney was spending her weekends helping at a fundraiser for her church. She also waitressed tables during events that helped raise money to benefit the church and the Knights of Columbus organization. Courtney also worked at a booth selling food to raise money for her youth group. Courtney did whatever needed to be done with a joyful attitude.”

Chelsea Hopwood of Lehigh Acres is an eighth grade student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.

Language Arts Teacher Sarah Ferguson wrote that “Chelsea volunteered 21 hours in her community and at Varsity Lakes Middle School. In her community, she assisted a family who needed extra help cleaning and organizing their home. She spent 15 hours packing up boxes, loading a trailer, and cleaning the people’s home. Chelsea also volunteered her time at Varsity Lakes Middle School. She gave up her weekend to attend a National Junior Honor Society conference in order to grow as a leader and better our school chapter.”

David Louine of Lehigh Acres is a sixth grade student at Lehigh Acres Middle School.

School Resource Officer Deputy April Meritz wrote in the nomination letter that “David was in the lunchroom at school, when he found a $20 bill on the floor. He picked it up and immediately told an adult. There were some children surrounding him and telling him to keep the money but David knew the right thing to do. Great job.”

Rochelle Anderson of Lehigh Acres is a tenth grade student at East Lee County High School.

Physical Education Teacher Silvia Escoto wrote in the nomination letter that “Rochelle found a cellular telephone in the restroom and turned it in to me immediately. We have a big theft issue when it comes to cellular telephones and it was a wonderful change of events to have her turn in the telephone that she had found. It is a reinforcement of our belief that students do the right thing.”