Each month, the Do The Right Thing Student Recognition Program honors students for outstanding achievements. Last month a local recipient received the honor, Abby Vick of North Fort Myers who is a kindergarten student from Hancock Creek Elementary School.

Her teacher, Lori Sanger, wrote in the nomination letter that “for a six-year-old, Abby is mature above her years. She helps everyone in need of help — whether it be to explain directions over again or include a child who is playing by themselves. In my 20 years of teaching I have never had a student as empathetic, caring and helpful as Abby. She seems to ‘pay it forward’ on a daily basis. I have seen enormous changes in some of the attitudes of other students due to Abby’s kindness and helpfulness. This is extraordinary in a Kindergarten class. Abby is well deserving of this award.”

Mom Debbie Vick said she is very proud of Abby.

“Abby has always been a very helpful and thoughtful child. She always wants to help others.” She said that teacher Sanger is “awesome.”

“We could not have a better teacher.”

It was Sanger’s nomination of “doing the right thing everyday” that caught the eye of John McGraw, Do The Right Thing Director for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

“The awards are inspiring,” he said. “It’s inspiring each month to read through the nominations and hear the positive things these children are doing, acts of honesty, bravery and charity.”

“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.

There are 53 public and private schools participating and they even get nominations from home-schooled students.

“We get a lot of nominations, they’re great kids. These are future leaders, and if we can affirm the positive decisions and choices that they’re making at this young age, they’re going to change the world,” said McGraw.

He’s been involved with the programs since 2004.

“After we had the flooding in Bonita, some of these kids took it upon themselves to collect donations,” he said.

McGraw said there was a lot of activity by local kids after hurricanes, too. “It’s incredible,” he said. “They say, I want to help. For adults it’s a a wake-up call, what are we doing?”

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said the awards are personally important to him and the department.

“We believe it’s critically important to reward positive behavior,” Scott said. “All too often, negative behavior is what makes the headlines, the front page. We want to reinforce positive decisions. It makes for a better citizen in the community and it gives others incentive to to do the right thing.”

Other area winners and their biographies included:

– Alec Cook of Lehigh Acres is a third grader at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.

Kristal Dwyer, third grade teacher at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts, nominated Alec for being honest. She explained that “Alec had found $20 in the school cafeteria, and rather than keep it for himself, he turned it in to an adult.” Mrs. Dwyer said she is very proud of Alec, because “it would have been so easy for him to keep the money and buy candy at school, but instead he chose to do the right thing.”

– Madison Marinell of Lehigh Acres, a fifth grader at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.

John Peters, assistant principal at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts, nominated Madison “for great citizenship and compassion. Her class was challenged to help with a special project at school. When Madison saw that no one was raising their hand to volunteer, she stood up and said that she would be happy to help. By taking on the challenge and helping, Madison made a difference in someone’s life.”

– Dalelyn Daring of Lehigh Acres is a sixth grader at Alva Middle School.

The School Resource Officer at Alva Middle School, Deputy Bill Patton, wrote in the nomination letter that, “Dalelyn approached me with a safety issue, that could have resulted in a student being injured. The information was checked out, which resulted in the safety issue being resolved without incident. Dalelyn demonstrated courage and honesty by coming forward and placing the safety of the other student first.”

– Briana Kelley of Lehigh Acres is a second grader at Gateway Elementary School.

While attending summer camp, Briana had the opportunity to go on a field trip to “Sun and Fun – Water Park” in Naples. While in a pool, all of a sudden, Briana heard someone crying for help, and noticed that her friend had drifted into deeper water, had became scared and was coughing up water. Briana saw this and responded immediately and pulled the child to safety. Bringing her to the side of the pool in shallower water, she got some girls to assist her so she could get help. A counselor responded, and tookover insuring that the child was alright. Briana’s quick thinking and actions potentially saved a life that day. This is the second time Briana has been honored by the “Do the Right Thing” Program.

– Andres Arano of Fort Myers, a kindergartner at Heights Elementary School.

Susan Sweetland, art teacher at Heights Elementary School, wrote in the nomination letter that “each time Andres comes to art class he is an outstanding and reliable helper for his classmate who has the use of only one arm. He is patient and positive. He lets that student take her time and if the project gets messed up, he helps her start over. He always sits by her to make sure she is doing OK.”

– Olivia Nelson of Fort Myers, a third grader at Heights Elementary School.

Debra Reith, music teacher at Heights Elementary School teacher, wrote in the nomination letter that, “Olivia certainly exemplifies your criteria of being ‘thoughtful and kind.’ Recently she came to my Music Room, and showed me a brand new recorder and instruction book. She went on to explain that she wanted to offer these items to any fellow student that might not be able to afford them on their own. I was so touched by her beautiful selfless heart and spirit, in thinking of others.”

– Tatiana Goldberg of Fort Myers, a third grader at Noonan Elementary School.

Cindy Troxler, third grade teacher at Noonan Elementary School, shared her nomination letter that Tatiana was honored by the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for her active participation. She was also invited to appear on a local television station to present the funds she had raised. She was recognized for her hard work and dedication to helping others in need.

– Angel G. Vasquez Jr., from Fort Myers, an eighth grader from Alva Middle School.

Aimee McLaughlin of the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida wrote in the nomination letter that, “we are a local non-profit agency charged with helping 1,800 foster children. Angel became known to us back in 2007, after he had researched all of the local children’s charities in Southwest Florida and chose our agency as the most worthwhile. He came into our office one day and announced that he had organized a garage sale with the proceeds going to benefit the foster children of Lee County. He raised $220. The money was used to purchase school supplies for children that had been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. He has also done other things to help local children. He is a shining example of how one child, with a big heart can make a difference in the lives of children less fortunate than himself. He truly gave of himself.”

This is the second time that Angel has been honored by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “Do the Right Thing” Program.

– Courtney Prevatt of Alva is a sixth grader at Alva Middle School.

Diane Jochim, staffing sepcialist at San Calos Park Elementary School, nominated Courtney Prevatt. Jochim wrote, “When my neighbor asked me to collect plastic bottle tops and soda pop tops for a girl who was going through cancer treatments, I spread the word. For every thousand tops she gets a free cancer treatment. One morning when I came to work I found 6,300 soda pop tops on my desk. Courtney had been collecting them for some time, and was waiting for the appropriate need. She had wanted to help other children who may be going through a tough time in their lives. Courtney is truly a considerate and altruistic citizen that one day will be a contributing adult. Her story brings hope to our future generation.”

– Kayla Clark of Estero is a sixth grader at Three Oaks Middle School.

Three Oaks Middle School School Resource Officer Deputy A. J. Thierer wrote in the nomination letter that, “Kayla came to School Principal Mike Carson and myself to share with us important information she had overheard. The information related to school safety, and as the School Resource Officer, I was able to follow up on the information, intervene and prevent anything from happening at school. Kayla showed a lot of character in coming forward to share a safety concern.”

n Kevin Donnelly of Fort Myers is a sixth grader at Three Oaks Middle School.

Three Oaks Middle School School Resource Officer Deputy A. J. Thierer wrote in the nomination letter that, “Kevin came into my office to discuss something at the beginning of the school day. He had noticed that another student had brought something with him to school, that potentially posed as safety concern. Because of this information, I was able to take appropriate actions before somebody got hurt. Kevin showed a lot of character coming to me and helping me stop what could have been a major issue that school day.”

– Emma Clay of Estero is a 6th grader at Three Oaks Middle School.

Three Oaks Middle School School Resource Officer Deputy A. J. Thierer wrote in the nomination letter that, “Emma had observed that money had fallen out of another student’s pocket. Emma picked up the money and ran after the student who had lost the money. Once Emma had caught the student she returned the money. Emma showed great character in not keeping the money for herself, but rather giving it back to it’s rightful owner.”

– Megan Dusenberry of Fort Myers is a seventh grader at Cypress Lake Middle School.

Cypress Lake High School School Resource Officer Cpl.Ranju George wrote in the nomination letter that, “Every day Megan helps her father. Her father is a teacher, and Megan, for the past two years has dedicated that time to help. Her actions show compassion, a giving heart and concern for others.”

– Adrian Vera of Fort Myers is a second grader at Evangelical Christian School.

Diane Roberson, a teacher at Evangelical Christian School, wrote in the nomination letter that, “Adrian had left the playground to retrive a ball from the parking lot when he found a $20 bill. He immediately turned the money over to his teacher. He is an excellent student and tries to do one nice thing for someone each day,”

– Eli Johnson of Fort Myers is a 12th grader at Cypress Lake High School.

Cypress Lake High School School Resource Officer Cpl. Ranju George wrote in the nomination letter that, “Eli belongs to Newton’s Law Dance Company. Eli assisted a local non-profit organizaion by running the sound and light system in the auditorium. This was done on his day off from school.”

– Brianna Bellamy of Fort Myers is a 12th grader at Cypress Lake High School.

Cypress Lake High School School Resource Officer Cpl. Ranju George wrote in the nomination letter that, “Brianna helped a local non-profit organizaion by running the sound and light system in the auditorium. This was done on her day off from school.” He also wrote that, “Brianna is also the president of the Student Government, involved in the National Honor Society, National Dance Honor Society, Helping Hands Club, Special Olympics and ‘Be A Buddy Club’ at Cypress Lake High School.”

– Istiaque Mohammed Ilias of Fort Myers is a 12th grader at Cypress Lake High School. Imtiyaz Ilias of Fort Myers is a ninth grader at Cypress Lake High School.

Cypress Lake High School School Resource Officer, Cpl. Ranju George wrote in the nomination letter that brothers, “Istiaque and Imtiyaz worked together to calm down another student who was going to make a bad decision. They cared enough to get involved and help this person.”

“Istiaque has also been helping a local non-profit organization by doing whatever it takes to get the job done. He is a varsity football player, at Cypress Lake High School, who visits the Children’s Hospital to read and play with the children there.”

“Imtiyaz also helps out his father in their family business. He has a great positive attitude and is a good student at school.”

– Paris Kolar of Fort Myers Beach is a 12th grader at Cypress Lake High School.

Cypress Lake High School Principal Tracy Perkins wrote in the nomination letter that Paris donated two $25 gift cards to a family whose house had burned down. She is also involved in the Helping Hands Club at Cypress Lake High School. This club has distinguished itself by its level of helping people in need. This club has conducted drives to collect clothing, food and toys to be distributed throughout the county.”