Students honored at monthly Do The Right Thing ceremony

By Staff | Apr 29, 2015

Humanitarian concern, honesty, integrity, positive decision making and heroism were recognized on April 16 at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s “Do The Right Thing” awards ceremony.

Each month throughout the school year, the LCSO honors the positive actions of area community’s students through the program.

The goal is to reinforce positive behavior among youths and to establish students as role models for their peers.

From the East Zone, the following students were honored:

– Kenneth Roberts, of Lehigh Acres, is a kindergartener at Gateway Elementary School

Teacher Sheri St. John wrote, “I teach character education lessons to kindergarten classes each day. All lessons revolve around kindness and showing others respect. Each time I teach Kenneth’s class, we are joined by students from our Social Communications class. These students usually arrive a few minutes after Kenneth’s class and one day, one of the SC students was causing quite a bit of a disruption when I noticed Kenneth sliding back away from his homeroom classmates and trying to soothe the other child. He was whispering to him and had his arm around him. Before long, the child was sitting quietly listening to the lesson with his new friend, Kenneth. At a time when other students were turned around looking at the disruptive child, Kenneth took it upon himself to be a good friend and make the other child feel accepted and part of the group. Each time I have taught Kenneth’s class since that day, whenever the SC students come in Kenneth leaves his spot with his classmates and goes back to sit with the same little boy. In a time where concern for others seems to be lacking, it was amazing to see such a young boy embody the exact character traits we have been talking about since August. I am so proud of Kenneth for being such a kind, caring young man.”

– Daniel Searor, of Lehigh Acres, is a fifth-grader at River Hall Elementary School

Teacher Linda Borchering wrote, “Daniel is an excellent student and outstanding reader he works hard every day in the classroom. One day at school, Daniel had a big dilemma. He had found money. Daniel was tempted to keep the money, but after talking to his friends, he decided to do the right thing and turned the money in to the office. We are very proud of Daniel. No matter what the amount, when you do the right thing, you are building trust with others and you are showing integrity in its truest form. Daniel, we hope that you continue doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, because you are making choices that build character. We think you deserve this award. When you are honest it builds character.”

– Braiden Walls, of Lehigh Acres, is a fifth-grader at River Hall Elementary School

Teacher Linda Borchering wrote, “Braiden is an excellent student and outstanding reader he works hard every day in the classroom. Braiden showed great honesty and integrity when he found money that was dropped outside, when we were having lunch. He immediately brought the money to me, and right away, I knew who had dropped it. I am really impressed by Braiden’s sense of right and wrong. He could have easily slipped the money into his pocket, but instead, he chose to do the right thing. I want to congratulate Braiden for being honest and truthful. Braiden makes everyone at our school very proud of him. In addition Briaden helped one of his friends to make a big decision, encouraged him to do the right thing and then praised his friend’s decision.”

– Zachary Yeager, of Fort Myers, is a fourth-grader at River Hall Elementary School

Teacher Margaret Fallas wrote, “During a school PTO meeting an ambulance needed to be called. Sensing the urgency of the matter at hand, this wonderful student helped to lead children to another room and keep the younger children occupied with games. His quick actions helped the adults attend to the sick person. The younger children were spared any emotional shock or possible trauma. Zachary protected them, comforted them and performed a great job.”

– Waldo Roca, of Lehigh Acres, is a first-grader at Sunshine Elementary School

Teachers Cayla Kilgore and Bonnie Wehausen wrote, “Waldo sits within a group of three others. Out of all the students in his group, Waldo oftentimes is the one making positive comments such as ‘we can do this’ or ‘you should have your turn now.’ Even though others may have a tendency to be bossy or sulky, Waldo consistently steps up to the plate modeling a cooperative and fair problem solving.”

– Isabella Sotolongo, of Lehigh Acres, is a kindergartener at Sunshine Elementary School

Teacher MaryBeth Welsh wrote, “Isabella has overcome many obstacles in her life. She is a great role model for her peers. She strives to learn and to do as much as she can independently, and demonstrates qualities of a good citizen, dedicated student and friend at school. She comes to school with such a positive attitude, greets adults respectfully, and is eager to participate in all lessons and activities. Isabella is a caring and considerate child who opens doors for other students who use a wheelchair, and distributes books and other items to help the teacher. She also helps other students in a variety of ways. It is a joy to have Isabella in my classroom. She comes to school prepared to learn and always tries her best to do the right thing.”

– Gary Atkinson, of Lehigh Acres, is a fifth-grader at Lehigh Elementary School

– Jeremiah Mendez, of Lehigh Acres, is a fifth-grader at Lehigh Elementary School

Teacher Andres Rodriguez wrote, “I witnessed an incident on the playground which made me realize how kids stand up for each other even when we think they will not. I noticed one student, who I have to constantly watch because of his bullying tendency, begin to push one of my smaller students around. As I went toward them to stop this from happening, I was stopped dead in my tracks. Two of my taller and bigger students, Gary Atkinson and Jeremiah Mendez, were already there. They stood between the bully and the smaller student and said to him, ‘Quit pushing our friend around, he is smaller than you, stop picking on him!’ The student looked totally amazed and walked away with a look of surprise that someone would stand up to him. What a proud moment for me to have witnessed this incident. It is so incredible to have seen kids do the right thing even when they thought no one was watching.”

– Azarya Poole, of Lehigh Acres, is a sixth-grader at Lehigh Acres Middle School

Teacher Emilie Schmidt wrote, “When our school got new vending machines, Azarya accidently discovered that they had a problem. The machines were giving out more drinks that they should have. Rather than abusing that knowledge to obtain free drinks, Azarya immediately brought the information to the assistant principal, so that he could contact the vending machine company. Azarya should be honored for her honesty and integrity.”

Neighbor Connie Schluter wrote, “My mother had fallen to the ground and could not move. In fact she had broken her hip. Azarya was coming home from church, when she noticed my mother’s situation, and immediately came to her assistance. Azarya had wanted to help her get up, but was told ‘please go inside my residence and inform my son.’ Azarya did as was requested, obtained appropriate help and comforted her. Azarya quick response helped in a very difficult situation.”

– Sara Clem, of Lehigh Acres, is a ninth-grader at Riverdale High School

– Madison Mollett, of Fort Myers, is a ninth-grader at Riverdale High School

School nurse Adrienne Klages wrote, “Sara and Madison became aware that their teacher was having a medical issues in the classroom. It deeply concerned them and they knew what they had to do. They came to the school clinic in an appropriate and calm manner and notified the school clinic staff that their teacher was not feeling well. They immediately directed the clinic assistant and school nurse to the classroom and were able to assist in getting help for this teacher. Their concern and effort are to be applauded.”

– Cordaysia Campbell, of Lehigh Acres, is a 10-grader at Riverdale High School

Staff member Barbara Moreland wrote, “We have had two students who have lost a parent since Christmas break. Cordaysia became aware of that and wanted to do something for each of the students. She was also aware of each student’s emotional and social needs and tailored her approach accordingly. In her concern she took it upon herself to ensure that both students received cards with messages of support and care form each member of our class. She had originally wanted to do flowers and larger displays of support, but I suggested a card might be a more private way to support the students without embarrassing them.”