January 2009
Trulee Allen
Kratz Elementary School
Ritenour School District
As Trulee was enjoying the evening on her 8th birthday this past December 11th, she heard what seemed to be strange noises outside her bedroom. Trulee looked outside the window and discovered her neighbor had fallen to the ground as he was transferring from his truck into his wheelchair. Trulee alerted her parents and then ran to the man�s side. Then Trulee and her father helped him into his wheelchair and made sure he wasn�t injured. We�re happy to report their neighbor wasn�t seriously hurt and is doing well. So today we honor Trulee Allen for doing the right thing. Thanks to her mature and appropriate actions, her neighbor who is disabled was saved from great harm. Her mother, Brandy Walker, stated, �It was a very cold night. If Trulee hadn�t discovered our neighbor and helped him, he may have been on the ground for a very long time and who knows what might have happened to him.�
Katie Bohnenstiehl and Avery Reed
Abraham Lincoln School
Belleville District 118
All on their own, Katie and Avery decided they wanted to contribute to a charity in some way during the Christmas holidays. So, they decided to coordinate a shoe donation drive at their school for needy children in Zambia. They got the information out to the students at their school and put out a container so anyone could contribute. Each and every day the girls would check the box and in just a few days, the container was completed filled withshoes. Over the Christmas break, the shoes were sent to the needy children in Zambia! So today we honor Katie Bohnenstiehl and Avery Reed for doing the right thing. Thanks to their service to others and kind spirit, many needy children in a far away land who have no shoes are benefiting greatly. Their teacher Staci Casto who nominated them stated, �Katie and Avery show great empathy and care for others each and every day both in and out of school. I am so proud of them for taking the initiative to do so much for others.�
Emily Davenport
Rockwood South Middle School
Rockwood School District
Emily knows how to be a good friend. So when she witnessed several students bullying a helpless student on the school bus, she stood up for the child. Even though she was called names for standing up for the student, Emily realized something needed to be done to stop the problem. After she got home, Emily reported the incident to the principal so the incident would be addressed by an administrator and the bullying would be stopped for good. So today we honor Emily Davenport for doing the right thing. Thanks to her brave and kind actions, an innocent student is able to go to school without being harassed. Her mother Melissa Davenport stated, �She stood up for what was right even though she was called names by the bullies. I am so proud of her for making a difference in the life of a child.�
Benjamin Harris
Andrew Newman
Jason Renaud
Gregory Rodermund
Sperreng Middle School and
Sean Harris
Lindbergh High School Lindbergh School District
One seemingly normal day of swimming suddenly took a turn for Benjamin, Andrew, Jason, Gregory and Sean. Their friend Dakota was in the pool with a mask on and all seemed normal. After a few minutes, however, it became apparent that Dakota wasn�t moving. Jason pulled Dakota�s head out of the water and yelled for his friends to help. Benjamin, Andrew, Gregory and Jason then lifted Dakota and carried him down the steps of the above ground pool as Sean ran for help. Benjamin and Sean�s mother, Teresa Nienhaus called 911 and was at the boys� side after he was pulled from the water. Immediately she administered CPR as the boys were contacting Dakota�s parents. The boys then directed emergency personnel when they arrived at the scene. We�re happy to report, even though Dakota lost consciousness and had no heart beat, he was taken to the hospital where he received proper treatment and successfully recovered. So today we honor Benjamin and Sean Harris, Andrew Newman, Jason Renaud, and Gregory Rodermund for doing the right thing. Thanks to their responsible and brave actions, they saved the life of a friend. Teresa Nienhaus commented to St. Louis County Police School Resource Officer Mike Kaufman, who nominated the boys, �All the boys were instrumental in assisting with a stressful, tragic moment.� Officer Kaufman stated, �Dakota spent several days in intensive care after the incident. And, Dakota has made a full recovery and only remembered feeling tired once he regained consciousness. He is happy to spread the work, however, that his friends saved his life.�
Holly Imming
St. Francis Xavier School
Archdiocese of Springfield
Holly�s acquainted with one of her mother�s co-workers, Karen Thomas, who has been battling breast cancer for the past two years. Holly realized that it has been a very difficult time for her since she had several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. When the cancer returned at one point, the treatments continued and Holly knew Karen was out of work once again. Realizing the financial strain on the family, Holly decided she wanted to help in some way. Originally, Holly had been making colorful woven bracelets and sold them as a fundraiser to help a local animal shelter. Instead, she donated the proceeds to Karen. Holly also told Karen she prays for her health every day. So today we honor Holly Imming for doing the right thing. Karen Thomas nominated her and stated, �Holly has a loving heart and I�m proud to know her. She is a shining example of what we all should be as givers.�
Cullen McBride
St. Michael�s School
Archdiocese of Springfield
Cullen and his family recently got two new puppies. One cold day one of the puppies wandered out into the lake behind their house. Cullen�s dad took a boat out to save the puppy and all of a sudden fell into the water. Then Cullen�s mom tried to help but also fell into the lake. Without hesitation, Cullen called 911 and relayed what was occurring as he kept contact with his parents. Emergency personnel arrived in a very short period of time, and we are happy to report everyone was saved. And, they all successfully recovered. So today we honor Cullen McBride for doing the right thing. Thanks to his mature and brave actions, his father, mother and puppy were saved. Jamie Johnson, Cullen�s cub scout den leader who nominated him stated, �Because of Cullen�s quick actions, the ambulance was summoned and everyone recovered well. Cullen did a great job.�
Ashley Nelson
Holt High School
Wentzville School District
Two special women in Ashley�s life have experienced breast cancer in recent years. And, that includes Ashley�s mother, Kelly. Since she has knowledge of the Komen for the Cure annual breast cancer awareness race, Ashley decided to hold a fundraiser in honor of her mother and Aunt, Kathleen Nelson. On December 20th, Ashley held a bake sale, basket raffle, and ornament sale and donated the funds to Komen for the Cure. We�re happy to report she had incredible success! So today we honor Ashley Nelson for doing the right thing. Thanks to her kindness and generosity, the funds that she raised will go towards breast cancer research. Teresa Branch-Nelson, Ashley�s stepmother who nominated her stated, �Ashley is an amazing young woman�her passion is awe-inspiring. It has made a difference in the lives of our family and friends.�
Teresa Watson
Delores Moye Elementary School
O�Fallon School District
Teresa enjoys her classmates. So when she realized there was a new girl in her class in the middle of the semester who seemed somewhat lost, she immediately began helping the girl. No matter what the circumstances were� spending time with her at recess or lunch, or familiarizing her with her school work�Teresa helped her new friend Molly adapt. Each and every day without being asked, Teresa made sure Molly wasn�t overwhelmed. So, thanks to Teresa, Molly has settled into her new situation at school quite well. So today we honor Teresa Watson for doing the right thing. Thanks to Teresa�s kindness and caring spirit, a fellow student is having a better quality of life at school. Ms. Kirby Wernsing, her teacher who nominated her stated, �Teresa showed great character because I never asked her to do any of this. She willingly volunteered to help someone else out. And, I hear Teresa has also befriended Molly outside of school. We are very proud of her.�
Malachi Williams
Townsend Elementary School
Hazelwood School District
Malachi knows how to be very helpful, and at school he has become friends with a student who is visually impaired. Each and every day, Malachi takes on the responsibility of being her partner so she understands her assignments or any activities being conducted in the classroom. Without thinking twice, Malachi helps his friend so she can be successful in every way possible. Thanks to him, she has a good life at school and she is doing quite well. So today, we honor Malachi Williams for doing the right thing. His kind and caring actions make a positive difference in the life of a fellow student who has special needs. His teacher Ms. Cheryl Walsh who nominated him stated, �Malachi is extremely patient with his friend and has an understanding of the different materials necessary for her to participate in activities. Malachi is an excellent role model for his classmates. They truly respect him and he gets along with everyone. I truly feel blessed to be his teacher.�
