The students were recognized at the second “Do The Right Thing” Award Ceremony for the 2012-13 school year at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology on Monday, Nov. 19.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office adopted the "Do the Right Thing" program in January 1988, and has honored hundreds of children for acts that reinforce good behavior, positive acts, and outstanding accomplishments in the community.
The following students have been recognized for November:
Julian Sauceda, first grade, Highlands Elementary School
While shopping in a Wal-Mart Julian saw a young girl who had no hair on her head. The boy’s mother informed him the girl likely had cancer. Julian worried about whether the girl had ever been teased for not having hair. After thinking about other kids who also have cancer, his sense of empathy led him to donate his waist-long curly hair to Locks of Love, a group that uses real hair to make wigs for sick children in need.
Lauren Rocae, sixth grade, North Naples Middle School
While riding the bus home one afternoon, Lauren witnessed a group of students bullying a girl who also rode the bus. She did not feel it was right for the girl to be bullied so she reported it to school officials the following morning.
Emily Wuerfel and Daisey Mackey, third grade, Poinciana Elementary School
On the third day of the new school year, Emily and Daisey were walking home and noticed a kindergarten student standing by herself. They asked the girl if she was a walker or car rider and she replied that she did not know. They brought her to the school’s office to help make sure the girl safely got home.
McKenna Lape, ninth grade, Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology and Lauren Reichert, seventh grade, Oakridge Middle School
McKenna and Lauren were leaving a church meeting when they heard a woman fall in the parking lot. The girls ran to her side and comforted her until help arrived.
Darvens Box, fifth grade, Pelican Marsh Elementary School
Darvens is assigned to bus duty with the school’s safety patrol. He noticed one of the bus riders was walking on crutches due to a broken leg and while waiting for someone to help her into the bus, Darvens went out of his way to keep the student comfortable by fetching her a chair.
Vida Ramos, 11th grade, Gulf Coast High School
Vida selflessly risked injury while attempting to break up a fight between two students that took place in one of the school’s hallways.
Colton Rose, eighth grade, St. Ann Elementary School
Colton spearheaded an effort to establish a 9/11 memorial at his school. He worked tirelessly to raise money for the project by forming a task force of other eighth grade boys also interested in the project.
Christopher Martinez, seventh grade, Immokalee Middle School
After witnessing two separate acts of bullying, Christopher reported it to school officials.
