Matthew Albritton
Marie Schaefer Elementary
O’Fallon School District
Matthew enjoys being helpful at school. One day when walking down the hallway, he witnessed a kindergartener fall down and everyone kept passing him. Not Matthew—he immediately stopped and helped him up. Matthew helped calm him down and then made sure he wasn’t hurt so he could return to class. Thanks to Matthew, the student was fine! So today we honor Matthew Albritton for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and caring ways, a young child was taken care of properly and was able to continue on with his school day. Ms. Lisa Fore who nominated him stated, “Matthew shows respect to everyone through his actions and his words. He is a student the teachers admire and enjoy having in their room. He leaves a positive mark wherever he goes.”
Lisa Cumberledge
Katherine Gerard
Meghan Gerard
Ryan Power
A.J. Rothman
Kevin Rudolph
Shelby Schneider
Francis Howell Middle School
Francis Howell School District
At Francis Howell Middle School, every student is important. Lisa, Katherine, Mehgan, Ryan, A.J., Kevin, and Shelby especially understand how important it is to include students with disabilities in activities at school. They are all part of “The All of Us Club” that was established at Francis Howell Middle. They all sacrifice their time and efforts to make the surroundings at school the same for students with disabilities as any other student. Thanks to their volunteerism, many students who may been left out or neglected, are part of the school community and have better quality of lives! So today we honor Lisa Cumberledge, Katherine Gerard, Meghan Gerard, Ryan Power, A.J. Rothman, Kevin Rudolph and Shelby Schneider for doing the right thing. Thanks to their service to others and kind acts, all students at Francis Howell Middle School have an opportunity to have positive experiences at school. Social Studies teacher Cynthia Green and Special Services Teacher Melanie Hiemenz who nominated these students stated, “We have found these students to be truly warm, loving and patient teachers for their schoolmates who have disabilities. They make everyone feel comfortable in our middle school environment.”
Haley Ecker
Althoff Catholic High School
A regular day of babysitting suddenly took a turn for Haley. As she was watching a one-year old, she noticed the baby started choking. Without hesitation, she began using techniques she had been taught in babysitting school. It took four tries, but Haley never gave up and the baby’s breathing path was cleared and he ended up just fine. So today we honor Haley Ecker for doing the right thing. Thanks to her courageous and brave actions, the life of a baby was saved. Charissa Steffensmeier, the mother of the baby who nominated Haley stated, “We owe the life of our sweet, precious, beautiful baby boy to 15-year old Haley. At a time when a seasoned parent may have panicked….Haley did the right thing.”
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Corrine Engelman
New Baden Elementary
Wesclin School District
Corrine enjoys being a big sister and is also very helpful at home. One day as her 3 year old brother was playing, she noticed something was wrong. Realizing he was diagnosed with epilepsy, Corrine understood he was having a seizure. Without hesitation, Corrine took proper steps and immediately got her mother and others to help. We’re happy to report her little brother is doing fine. So today we honor Corrine Engelman for doing the right thing. Thanks to her mature and brave actions, the life of her little brother was saved. Billie Jo Brunker who nominated her stated, “We are very proud of her and for having the courage she did during that scary time to get her brother help.”
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Georgia Hamburg &
John Hamburg
Beasley Elementary School
Mehlville School District
One seemingly ordinary day after school as Georgia and John were about to have a snack, things took a sudden turn. Their dad had fallen down and it was apparent he was having a seizure. Without heisting, they called their grandparents who had just dropped then off at home. They also called their mother to let her know what was occurring. They stayed with their father until helped arrived. And we’re happy to report that their dad got the proper attention he needed in a timely manner and is doing fine. So today we honor Georgia and John Hamburg for doing the right thing. Thanks to their responsible and brave actions, a serious medical situation was handled appropriately, and their dad received immediate and proper care. Their mother Nancy Hamburg stated, “They stepped up to the plate and did exactly what they were supposed to do in order to help their dad.”
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Quintez Jones
Parkway West Middle School
Parkway School District
Quintez enjoys being a good friend. So when a fellow student told him on the bus ride home one day he wanted to commit suicide, Quintez realized he needed to help. As soon as Quintez got home, he relayed what happened to his mother. A school counselor was contacted, and we’re happy to report proper action was taken and the student is doing fine. So today we honor Quintez for doing the right thing. Thanks to his mature and appropriate actions, a fellow student’s well being was looked after. Quintez’ mother, Sharon Jones, stated, “I was so proud of my son for telling me what had occurred. I told him that he just saved a young person’s life and he truly deserves a Do the Right Thing award.”
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Danielle Mertens
Sperreng Middle School
Lindbergh School District
Danielle truly believes in character education. So, part of her service in the Lindbergh community has been to help educate her peers about character education by creating and acting out skits that are presented to students. Danielle has authored 12 character trait skits for the Characters Welcome Drama Club which will be presented to students in the Lindbergh School District. Danielle’s passion is to help students understand the benefits of good character. So today we honor Danielle Mertens for doing the right thing. Her service to others sets a great example for all students in the Lindbergh School District. Sharon Whittington, Sperreng Middle School Drama teacher who nominated her stated, “Danielle has demonstrated a passion and concern for educating her peers on character education. We are so proud of her.”
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Ty Michael
Delores Moye Elementary School
O’Fallon School District
Ty enjoys his fellow classmates at school. So when a student with special needs was included in Ty’s classroom, he immediately befriended him. Each and every day, he makes sure of the child’s needs and makes him feel included. He also plays with him at recess so he always feels like he has a friend. Ty makes school a positive experience for his friend. So today we honor Ty Michael for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and caring ways, a student’s quality of life at school is greatly improved. Julie Stoelzle who nominated him stated, “Ty immediately made the student feel welcome. He displayed a caring and considerate personality. The student feels welcome thanks to Ty.”
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Leigha Pellazari
Frohardt Elementary School
Granite City School District
Leigha enjoys being a good friend. So when she became acquainted with a student who was suffering from cancer, she wanted to help in some way. As Leigha watched the child lose her hair, she told her mother she wanted to do something to help in that way. So, Leigha donated over 10 1/2 inches of her hair to Locks of Love to be used for a wig for children suffering from cancer. So today we honor Leigha Pellazari for doing the right thing. Her kind and caring ways will make a difference in the life of a cancer victim. Leigha’s mother Megan stated, “She came home from school and stressed she wanted to give her hair to Locks of Love for the girl at school that very day. So, that’s what she did!”
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Ralph Washington
Farragut Elementary School
St. Louis Public Schools
Ralph knows how to be responsible beyond his years. So when he observed an older student with a weapon at school, he took proper action and reported the situation to a teacher. Thanks to Ralph properly reporting the weapon was in the hands of a student, no harm was done and all students were safe. So today we honor Ralph Washington for doing the right thing. Thanks to his brave and mature actions, a potentially dangerous situation was handled properly. Anita Crawford who nominated Ralph stated, “He helped to maintain the safety of our other students. He deserves to be recognized for such maturity and bravery.” Watch the video
