Do The Right Thing Kids winners Announced
Humanitarian concern, honesty, integrity, positive decision making and heroism will be recognized tomorrow during the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s sixth “Do The Right Thing” Awards Ceremony of the school year.
The ceremony was held Thursday February 18, 2010, at 2:00 PM in the Board Room of the School Board of Lee County, Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
Each month throughout the 2009-2010 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, the business and Lee County educational community together in an effort to make a lasting positive impact on our community’s young adults.
*PLEASE NOTE: The Bios of the seventeen Honorees are below:
February 18, 2010 Lee County Sheriff’s Office Do The Right Thing Honorees
Kenneth Holden of Fort Myers is a First Grade student at Bayshore Elementary School.
Bayshore Elementary School Clinic Paraprofessional Ms. Christy Payne wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Kenneth brought another student to the School Clinic with an injured arm, which required an ice pack. Kenneth was very helpful by consoling the child, retrieving the ice pack and wrapping it. He also explained to the child how to use the ice pack, for the arm to heal and for it to feel better. He is a very caring child.”
Krystal Saldana of North Fort Myers is a Second Grade Student at Bayshore Elementary School.
Bayshore Elementary School, Second Grade Teacher, Ms. Rebecca Zinnbauer wrote in the Nomination Letter that “I am nominating Krystal Saldana to the Do the Right Thing Youth Recognition Program for her willingness to always reach out and help someone. Krystal deserves to be recognized as a caring unselfish young lady. Recently, temperatures in Ft. Myers dipped into the low 30’s. Krystal became concerned about another classmate who came to school wearing shorts when it was so cold. When she found out that her classmate didn’t have any long pants to wear to school, Krystal worried that she would not be warm. The very next day Krystal brought a pair of long pants to school and gave them to her classmate to wear so that she would be warm. This was truly an act of kindness and caring.”
AshLee Reed of North Fort Myers is a Second Grade Student at Bayshore Elementary School.
Bayshore Elementary School, Second Grade Teacher, Ms. Ginjer Fassold wrote in the Nomination Letter that “I am nominating AshLee Reed for her overall kindness and compassion for others. Everyday AshLee makes a great effort to help other students who are struggling with mathematics. She tends to catch on to new mathematic concepts very quickly. She comes to me frequently and requests to work with students who do not understand the lesson. When she sees a student in need, of one on one attention, she does not hesitate to offer to help. AshLee has great patience when explaining the problem and solution to the student. Many times she explains the problem in a way that the student is able to immediately understand. She is a silent leader within our classroom. She is a wonderful role model and a great asset to our school. She is very polite to other students and teachers at all times. AshLee has great support from her family. Her family has done a wonderful job teaching her positive values and character development. It is obvious that she has been taught responsibility, honesty, respect and the ability to care for others. She has made these values a part of her everyday life. AshLee is an all around warm, considerate and caring young lady.”
The following three students are to be honored together:
Rianna Wasson of Fort Myers is an Eighth Grade Student.
Courtney Kaufman of Fort Myers is an Eighth Grade Student.
Taylor Gilmore of Fort Myers is an Eighth Grade Student.
All three students attend Cypress Lake Middle School.
Cypress Lake Middle School Reading Coach and Eighth Grade Language Arts Teacher Ms. Kara Vereen wrote in the Nomination Letter that “There had been a bullying situation going on with a new girl to our school. Rianna Wasson, Courtney Kaufman and Taylor Gilmore came to this new girl’s defense in order to guard her against the bullying that was happening. I am really proud of them for sticking up for her and being kind to her even though perhaps it was not the ‘cool’ thing to do in the eyes of their peers. They have gone above and beyond to be kind to this girl and make her feel welcome in a sometimes unwelcome environment.”
Carl Monix of Lehigh Acres is a Sixth Grade Student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.
Varsity Lakes Middle School, Paraprofessional Ms. Carline Burkhead wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Carl found a water resistant watch at school and turned it in to the front office. I wanted to take this time to recognize his honesty. In a world that is often focused on negative acts that children do, I wanted to recognize Carl for the ‘positive’ thing he did. We could use more people like Carl in this world.”
Erica Withers of Lehigh Acres is a Sixth Grade Student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.
Varsity Lakes Middle School, Paraprofessional Ms. Carline Burkhead wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Erica found a cellular telephone in the hallway at school and turned it in to the office. I wanted her to be recognized for her honesty. In today’s world
Bios of Erica Withers continued:
it is a rarity for a child to be so honest, especially with something they could keep and use for themselves.”
Leondra Marle of Lehigh Acres is a Sixth Grade Student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.
Varsity Lakes Middle School, Paraprofessional Ms. Carline Burkhead wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Leondra found a new cellular telephone in the restroom and turned it in to the office staff. This kind of behavior encourages me and builds my faith in young students. I am very thankful that we have a program that honors young students when they do the right thing.”
Alberto Quintanilla of Lehigh Acres is a Sixth Grade Student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.
Varsity Middle School, School Resource Officer, Deputy Yadi Perez-Luna wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Alberto is a true example of positive change. A few months ago Alberto was strongly encouraged to look at where he was at and where he was heading, in regards to his behavior and choice of friends. Recently Alberto was faced with a test, in regards to a peer pressure situation. He answered the challenge by saying ‘no way.’ He has changed for the positive, is now taking part in athletics at school and has improved his grades tremendously. I am very proud of his decision to change his life in a positive way. Go Alberto!”
Alden Wolpert of Lehigh Acres is a Sixth Grade Student at Varsity Lakes Middle School.
Varsity Lakes Middle School, Assistant Principal Ms. Marsha Van Hook, wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Alden is a great kid, demonstrating maturity and responsibility. One instance was his concern about a safety matter at school. He came forward and shared his concern and the matter was handled. Another time after the local fire department had extinguished a fire that had threatened the family home, firefighters told Alden and his family that the fire could flare back up. Alden took it upon himself to monitor the situation. He was vigilant, and when the fire began to rekindle, he began hauling water in a trash can, and soaking the hot spots. He also informed his father, and asked him to call the fire department back to the scene. Alden’s maturity and responsibility potentially saved property and lives that day.”
Eric Benitez of Lehigh Acres is a 7th Grade Student at Alva Middle School.
Alva Middle School, School Resource Officer, Deputy Bill Patton, wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Eric found a video game, valued at $50 dollars. Eric made several attempts to locate the owner, but to no avail. He then located me and turned the video game in. It’s not very often that you see middle school students choosing to take their own time to show consideration for anything that is not directly related to them. I think that Eric displayed very socially responsible behavior and honesty.”
Mary Rigby of Alva is a 6th Grade Student at Alva Middle School.
Alva Middle School, Physical Education Teacher, Ms. Margaret Spradlin wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Mary has found and turned in to school authorities, several items that were either lost or left behind. Some of them had great value, such as a cellular telephone, bracelet and earrings.”
Cassandra Saenz of Bonita Springs is an 8th Grade Student at Bonita Springs Middle School.
Bonita Springs Middle School, Social Science Teacher, Ms. Liz Gordon wrote in the Nomination Letter that “during class I began to cough uncontrollably. I had to run out of the classroom into the hallway. Once in the hallway, I began to choke and could not breathe well. I heard someone running up to me and then began to pound on my back until I was able to breathe again. It was Cassandra! Cassandra acted quickly and without fear. After she made sure I was okay, she comforted me until the Principal arrived. I am so thankful to have Cassandra as a student. She is such a responsible and intelligent teenager. She comes to school and performs well in her academics. She is helpful and personable to her friends and peers. She always chooses to do the right thing”
Liliana Lopez of Fort Myers is a 7th Grade Student at Oak Hammock Middle School.
Oak Hammock Middle School, School Resource Officer, Deputy Chris Doughty wrote in the Nomination Letter that “Liliana Lopez had the courage to advise School Administrators when she had become aware of something that was wrong. Her information helped authorities take appropriate actions to correct the situation. Great job Liliana!”
Carlos Mendez of Lehigh Acres is a 9th Grade Student at Lehigh Senior High School.
Lehigh Senior High School, H.O.P.E. Teacher and Coach, Mr. John Costello wrote in the Nomination Letter that “on campus, Carlos found a wallet with $50 dollars cash in it. Carlos immediately turned the wallet in to school authorities. The wallet belonged to an electrician who was working at the school.”
Jonathan Nunez of Lehigh Acres is a 9th Grade Student at East Lee County High School.
East Lee County High School, School Resource Officer, Cpl. Garfield Young wrote in the Nomination Letter that “when a student fell from her chair in the school cafeteria, due to a seizure, Jonathan was there to help. He did not panic, nor was he afraid, he jumped into action immediately. He cushioned her head and provided reassuring comfort to her. He stayed with her until Emergency Medical Services transported her out of the cafeteria and to the hospital. Good job!”