November 2008
Kayle Crawford
Pochaontas Grade School
Bond County Unit 2 School District
Recently in the middle of the night, Kayle's grandfather became ill and realized he needed help, so he called his daughter to take him to the hospital. Kayle, who lives with her grandfather, got out of bed to help care for him until her aunt arrived when suddenly he lost consciousness. Kayle remained calm and immediately took proper action. She called 911 and gave the dispatcher the proper information about her grandfather's condition and the medications he had taken. We are happy to report that thanks to Kayle, her grandfather received immediate medical attention. So today we honor Kayle Crawford for doing the right thing. Thanks to her mature and appropriate actions, her grandfather successfully recovered. Her aunt, Dawn Weiss who nominated Kayle stated, "She is a strong 10 year old who did the right thing. Kayle helps take care of her brothers as well as her grandfather. I think this award would be a great way to show that people love her."
Lauren Friese And Taylor Friese
Sts. Joachim & Ann Elementary School
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Lauren and Taylor were outside having what seemed to be a normal day when they saw what appeared to be a lost boy walking down their street. Without hesitation, Lauren and Taylor befriended the child and found out he didn't know how to find his way home. Immediately the girls ran into their house and told their grandmother, and she called 911. Within a short period of time, police arrived and were able to contact the child's family�who had been frantically looking for him in vain for over 45 minutes. So today we honor Lauren and Taylor Friese for doing the right thing. Their caring spirit and mature actions resulted in a little boy being kept out of harm's way. Trudy Manuel, the kindergarten teacher at Saints Joachim and Ann who nominated the girls stated, "When the police notified the child's family, it was determined they had been looking for him for quite some time. Needless to say, they are very happy and grateful that he was found unharmed."
Tiffany Jacobs
Stevens Middle School
St. Louis Public Schools
In the middle of the night on September 21st, Tiffany was suddenly awakened by smoke in her bedroom. Immediately she realized her bed was engulfed in flames. Tiffany did not panic and crawled on her stomach from bedroom to bedroom to alert her mother and three siblings. As her family was running out of the house, Tiffany found a cell phone and called 911. Then she found her puppy who was hiding under a coach, grabbed her and ran out of the house to safety. We're happy to report everyone escaped without harm. So today we honor Tiffany Jacobs for doing the right thing. Thanks to her bravery and courage, her entire family was saved. Her teacher Sandra Williams, who nominated Tiffany stated, "Tiffany is a true heroine�..she saved the lives of her family. Yes, heroines come in all shapes and sizes!"
Jaylen Jones
Dolores Moye Elementary School
O'Fallon Illinois School District
Jaylen listens intently to his teacher about exhibiting good behavior when at school and while riding the school bus. During role playing, Jaylen has learned how to properly react if others upset him or say things that are unkind. So one day when a student attempted to hit Jaylen with a belt while riding the bus, Jaylen did exactly what he needed to do. Instead of fighting back, Jaylen went to the school office and explained what had happened! It was obvious, Jaylen followed the advice of his teacher by properly handling a difficult situation and a fight was prevented and a fight was prevented. So today we honor Jaylen Jones for doing the right thing. His mature and appropriate actions made him a role model for other students. Ms. Irene Lara, a secretary at Dolores Moye Elementary who nominated him stated, "Jaylen exhibited a great deal of self control and responsibility in the way he addressed this conflict. At Dolores Moye we are so proud of his actions."
Tara Robben
St. Joan of Arc Elementary School
Archdiocese of St. Louis
One day as Tara was on her way home after babysitting, she noticed a strange car in the neighborhood and some people in it were trying to lure a young boy over to them. Without hesitation, Tara called for the youngster to come over to her. As she began walking the child home, the suspicious people drove away. Tara then delivered the boy home safely and reported what had occurred to his parents and gave them a description of the car and the subjects. So today we honor Tara Robben for doing the right thing. Thanks to her responsible and appropriate actions, a young boy was kept from harm. St. Joan of Arc Principal Deborah DaLay who nominated Tara stated, "The fourth grader remained safe and Tara showed caring, quick thinking, and bravery. Thanks to her actions, the boy was safe and the car drove away."
Chelsea Speckert
Francis Howell High School
Francis Howell School District
A day of fun in the park suddenly took a turn for Chelsea and her friend Jake. As the girls were enjoying themselves, Jake suddenly took a hard fall off of a rocky area. Realizing her friend was seriously injured, Chelsea immediately called out for someone to call 911 for help. She then went to her friend's side and turned her head so she was able to breathe. Chelsea never left her for a minute. And even though it was evident Jake was seriously injured, Chelsea reassured her everything would be alright. Paramedics arrived and attended to Jake. And although she is still in rehab, we are happy to report she is expected to successfully recover. So today we honor Chelsea Speckert for dong the right thing. Her bravery and courage saved the live of a friend. Steve Schankman, a who nominated her stated, "Chelsea is a true friend and hero to Jake, her family and friends. Chelsea deserves recognition due to her unselfish heroics and knowing how to do the right thing!"
Levi Stevenson Jr.
Maplewood/Richmond Heights Middle School
Maplewood/Richmond Heights School District
Levi knows how to be a supportive brother. So when he found out an adult had been giving alcohol to his underage sister and another girl, he took action. After confronting the subject about the inappropriate actions, Levi reported the incident to the Maplewood Police Department. After an investigation, police were able to determine there had been crimes committed against the juveniles. This resulted in the arrest and criminal charges against the subject. We're happy to report that thanks to Levi, the girls are safe and doing fine. So today we honor Levi Stevenson for doing the right thing. Thanks to his courage and brave actions, two young girls were protected from serious harm. Sgt. Leanna Peoples of the Maplewood Police Department who nominated him stated, "Levi was very mature and handled a very sensitive situation in a way that protected two juveniles and also helped police make an arrest. We're very grateful to Levi for his actions."
Michael Swezey
Dolores Moye Elementary School
O'Fallon Illinois School District
Michael is a good friend at school. Each day he aids students as they deal with their special needs. Michael helps them tie their shoes, play at recess, eat in the lunchroom, and goes out of his way to make them feel included in activities. When he sees fellow students struggle, he patiently helps them deal with their limitations. Michael helps them feel good about life at school, and he never expects praise. So today we honor Michael Swezey for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and caring spirit, Michael's special needs friends enjoy a better quality of life at school. Second grade teacher Lynae Vahl who nominated him stated, "It is Michael's incredible acceptance of others and his willingness to help that demonstrate he is a child of amazing character. My students and I are lucky to have him in our class and in our lives."
Kenzi Walker
Hollenbeck Middle School
Francis Howell School District
One day on the school bus, Kenzi noticed a student was crying. Kenzi immediately befriended her and found out she had received an unkind note from a girl that stated she didn't want to be friends. Kenzi kindly spoke to the girl so she wouldn't be so upset, and took the time to explain to her what friends are all about. Fearing from the tone of the note that the person who wrote it was being a bully, Kenzi reported the incident to an administrator in order to protect the upset girl. Kenzi went out of her way so the girl would not only feel better, but so she would be protected from any abuse or harm. So today, we honor Kenzi Walker for doing the right thing. Her kind and caring actions made a positive difference in the life of a fellow student. Mr. Chris Purcell who nominated her stated, "Kenzi's kind words and actions helped this young girl feel as if someone cared. What a wonderful to treat a fellow student and show true friendship. We are so proud of her actions."
