Do the Right Thing ceremony honors local kids
Humanitarian concern, honesty, integrity, positive decision-making and healthy lifestyle choices were recognized last week during the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s seventh “Do The Right Thing” awards ceremony of the school year.
The ceremony was held Thursday, March 19, in the board room of the School Board of Lee County. This month’s 18 honorees hail from North Fort Myers, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
Each month throughout the 2008-2009 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. 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, businesses and Lee County educational community together in an effort to make a lasting positive impact on our community’s young adults.
Honorees from North Fort Myers include:
– Justin Miller of North Fort Myers is a 6th grade student at Oak Hammock Middle School. School Resource Officer Deputy Thomas Kennedy wrote in the nomination letter that “Justin was walking into the school lunch room when he saw a $100 bill lying on the floor. He immediately picked it up and came over to where I was with the School Principal Mr. Clayton Simmons. Justin handed the money, that he had found, over to Principal Simmons. His actions reflect honesty and integrity.”
– Nathan Burton of Fort Myers, is a 2nd grade student at Bayshore Elementary School. Bayshore Elementary School Second Grade Teacher Ginjer Fassold wrote in the nomination letter that “I told my second grade class about a 96-year-old neighbor of mine. The students wanted to make this gentleman Christmas cards to let him know others were thinking of him. The week before Christmas break, Nathan came to me with a present that he had gotten for my neighbor. I felt that it was a very thoughtful thing to do. That evening, my family and I took the present to my neighbor. He was so excited when he got it. He even had tears in his eyes. It was a light-up snowman. The gentleman said it made his day. I find it very uplifting that Nathan took the time to think about someone else at the holidays. Not only did he think about this man, but he made sure this man felt important. Nathan is a kind, considerate young man and should be acknowledged for this behavior.”
– Ciara Harney of North Fort Myers is a 3rd grade student at Bayshore Elementary School. James Guffey, third grade teacher at Bayshore Elementary School, wrote that “Ciara was given a 100 percent on a test that she took. I am her teacher and had given her that grade. Ciara came to me and pointed out that I had made a mistake and did not mark a question wrong when I should have. Ciara did the right thing, even when it had the affect of lowering her grade. She is an awesome child.”
– Conner Albritton and Kieleigh Cook reside in North Fort Myers. Both are first grade students at Bayshore Elementary School. Heather Garlick, a first grade teacher at Bayshore Elementary School, wrote that “In my class I have a student who is recovering from a broken arm. Conner and Kieleigh were willing to help this child without me asking them in any way. They helped in a variety of ways that include: tying her shoe laces, helping her put on her headset for the computer, helping her wash her other hand and holding her paper when she had to erase something and other tasks.” Their natural willingness to help another in a time of need is to be commended.
For more information on the program, contact John McGraw, Program Director, at 477-1175.
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office