Students honored at monthly awards ceremony
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Humanitarian concern, honesty, integrity, positive decision making and healthy lifestyle choices were recognized Thursday during the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s second “Do The Right Thing” awards ceremony for the school year.
The ceremony was held in the Lee County Commission Chambers, Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.
This month’s winners hail from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero and Alva.
Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah were scheduled to speak to the children and help Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott with the presentation of awards.
Each month throughout the 2008 to 2009 school year, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office honors the positive actions of the community’s students through the Do the Right Thing Student Recognition Program. The goal of Do the Right Thing is to reinforce positive behavior among youths and to establish students as role models for their peers.
Do the Right Thing partners law enforcement, local government, the business and educational community together in an effort to make a lasting positive impact on the community’s young adults.
The winners were:
— Steven Davis, of Bonita Springs, seventh grade, Bonita Middle School
— Mark Davis, of Bonita Springs, eighth grade, Bonita Middle School
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cpl. Ranju George witnessed acts of kindness, compassion and concern and nominated Steven and Mark Davis. George wrote in the nomination letter that “Steven and Mark brought food, ice and other essentials to the flood victims in Bonita Springs after Tropical Storm Fay. They had to walk through very deep water to deliver these humanitarian items. They also risked exposure to disease and possible injury to accomplish the labor of love. I am very proud to witness this effort.“
— Emilio Teyssier, of Estero, sixth grade, Bonita Middle School
In the nomination letter we learned that “Emilio is always looking for signs of crime at his school. He is on the lookout for gang signs, odors of smoke on classmates and other safety concerns. He also serves as a mediator at his school. He deserves this recognition as a person who always strives to do things right.“
— Rogelio Jose, of Bonita Springs, eighth grade, Bonita Middle School
Teacher Kristy Richardson of Bonita Springs Middle wrote in the nomination letter that “Rogelio should be honored because he is a role model for his eighth-grade peers. He comes to school early to study and learn more. He is involved with school functions and has many friends. He does not go along with inappropriate things others are doing but instead chooses to redirect them to do the right thing.“
— Frank Powell, of Lehigh Acres, 10th grade, Lehigh Senior High School
In the nomination letter it was written that “Frank volunteered crucial information regarding a law enforcement investigation. As a direct result of his information, property was recovered and returned to it’s rightful owner.“
— Adaja Washington, of Fort Myers, 12th grade, Lehigh Senior High School
The nomination letter stated that “Adaja found a wallet at school and immediately turned it in to school authorities. Adaja’s decision and actions showed great honesty and integrity.“
— Christopher Howard, of Fort Myers, kindergarten, Hancock Creek Elementary School
Teacher Michelle Smith of Hancock Creek Elementary School wrote in the nomination letter that “Christopher is a wonderful friend and mediator in our classroom. He reminds students to share and makes sure others are using kind words. His smile and positive attitude helps our classroom community run smoothly. He is like my classroom policemen. He often says, ‘That is not very nice. Let’s be nice.’ He is a positive role model for those around him.“
— Colton Howard, of Cape Coral, kindergarten, Hancock Creek Elementary School
Teacher Michelle Smith of Hancock Creek Elementary School wrote in the nomination letter that “Colton is a perfect example of a good friend and outstanding citizen. He is always helping others by assisting with work, clean-up and any other thing that is needed. When someone falls, he asks if they are O.K. and helps them up. He is a great helper and friend to all those in our class.“
— Ricardo Williamceall, of Lehigh Acres, 10th grade, Riverdale High School
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Burgman, the School Resource Officer at Riverdale High, wrote in the nomination letter that “Ricardo was walking from the school parking lot into the school when he noticed a small clear plastic bag with an unknown substance. Ricardo, concerned about school safety, immediately picked up the bag, went to me, as the School Resource Officer, and turned it over to me.“
— Julia Hogg, of Fort Myers, 11th grade, Cypress Lake High School
Cypress Lake High School teacher Barbara Van Netta wrote in the nomination letter that “Julia had found a purse in the hallway at school. Without any second thought Julia immediately turned it in to school authorities. Julia is also very involved in the life of this school as a varsity cheerleader and member of the Helping Hands Club at Cypress Lake High School.“
— Greg Cain, of Fort Myers Beach, 10th grade, Cypress Lake High School
Cypress Lake High School teacher Gladys Rodriguez wrote in the nomination letter that “Greg was a witness to an accident and immediately reported it. Another time he used his skills in first aid to help a student who had collapsed during a swim meet. Greg came to her assistance and helped by calming her down. He stayed with the student until she felt better.“
— Brittany Honn, of Fort Myers, 12th grade, Cypress Lake High School
Cypress Lake High School teacher Jeffrey Kulie wrote in the nomination letter that “Brittany donated a $20 Publix Gift Card to a family in the area that had lost everything in a fire.” Her actions show compassion and concern for others in need.
— Jeanette Bustillo, of Fort Myers, 12th grade, Cypress Lake High School
Cypress Lake High School teacher Jeffrey Kulie wrote in the nomination letter that “Jeanette purchased and donated a Entertainment Book, full of coupons for free and discounted items, to a family in the area that had lost everything in a fire. She is also very involved in the life of her school by participating in Thespians and National Honor Society. She also is a great student maintaining high grades.“
— Shelby Yelvington, of Fort Myers, 12th grade, Cypress Lake High School
— Ben McBride, of Fort Myers, 11th grade, Cypress Lake High School
Cypress Lake High School teacher Barbara Van Netta wrote in the nomination letter that “Shelby and Ben are members of the Helping Hands Club at Cypress Lake High School. They have distinguished themselves by their level of involvement in helping others. They have participated in drives to collect clothing, food and toys to be distributed to people in need throughout the county. They have also helped at a community Easter Egg Hunt, provided Christmas gifts for children at Healthpark, raised funds for UNICEF, March of Dimes and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.“
— Barbara Jay, of Alva, sixth grade, Alva Middle School
Alva Middle School teacher Amie Grant wrote in the nomination letter that “Barbara found a candy box at her school. This box was related to a school band fund-raiser with candy and money inside it. Instead of keeping it she turned it in to school authorities.”
— Joy Benedict, of Lehigh Acres, seventh grade, Alva Middle School
Alva Middle School teacher Margaret Spradlin wrote in the nomination letter that “Joy turned in a bracelet she had found in the girl’s locker room.” This is the second time that she has been honored by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “Do the Right Thing” Program.
— Jonathan Burkhead, of Lehigh Acres, sixth grade, Alva Middle School
Alva Middle School Teacher Amie Grant wrote in the nomination letter that “Jonathan found a wallet in a desk seat in his classroom and immediately turned it in.”