October 2009
Conrad Bruer
Orchard Farm High School
Orchard Farm School District
As Conrad was enjoying what seemed to be a normal Saturday afternoon, things suddenly changed. As he came upon an accident, he realized a car had plunged down a steep embankment and there were passengers inside. Without hesitation, Conrad ran down the hill and immediately helped the occupants�a mother and four children�out of the car. As firefighters arrived on the scene, they saw the car was in jeopardy of rolling further. However, thanks to Conrad, the family was out of the car and being led to safety. We're relieved to report that there were no serious injuries! So today we honor Conrad Bruer for doing the right thing. Thanks to his bravery and courageous actions, the lives of five people were saved. Brian Smith who nominated him stated, "The car had rolled over several times... and it was determined by police the vehicle had plunged 30 feet down a steep embankment. According to firefighters, the van was sitting in a position in which it could have further rolled down the hill. Without Conrad's quick action, the results could have been much worse."
Katie Driskill
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Archdiocese of St. Louis
As Katie and her mother were riding in the car and enjoying what appeared to be a normal August day, things took a dramatic turn. Katie looked over at her mother as she was driving and realized she didn't look as if she was feeling well. Katie kept watching her drive when suddenly her mother became unresponsive. At that point, it was obvious her mother had passed out as the car was going down the street. Without hesitation, Katie took over control of the car and steered it to safety and was able to bring it to a complete stop. She then ran for help for her mother. And we're happy to report, her mother recovered and is doing well. So today we honor Katie Driskill for doing the right thing. Her bravery and courageous actions saved her mother's life. Ken Morr who nominated Katie stated, "Katie was able to control the car, stop it and put it into park. She was then able to summon help for her mom�..she is a true hero!"
Cameron Ellington
Alton Middle School
Alton School District
Cameron is a very dedicated student who enjoys school. Cameron not only knows how to be helpful to his teachers, he also knows how to be a good friend. When Cameron became acquainted with a visually impaired student, he took it upon himself to be helpful. Cameron helps his friend in many ways. He helps him open his locker, reads assignments to him, and befriends him at any time�without being asked. Thanks to Cameron, a young man with a disability functions at school with much less difficulty. And better yet, the student has a true friend in Cameron! So today we honor Cameron Ellington for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kind spirit and service to others, a young man with a significant disability has a better quality of life at school. Melissa Edwards who nominated him stated, "Cameron has never been asked to do this, he just does it because he genuinely cares about his classmates. It is students like Cameron who make teaching such a rewarding profession, and I hope that Cameron is rewarded for all of his kindness, generosity and politeness."
Max Erb
Parkview Elementary School
Columbia School District #4
One day at the beginning of the school year, Max was entering the school building with fellow students and was going about his merry way! Suddenly Max noticed a student from the same grade who seemed to be having difficulty finding his way into the building. Realizing the child was visually impaired, Max didn't hesitate for a moment to go over and ask if he needed help. Then, Max led the student into the building and helped him get on course. Thanks to Max, the student didn't end up lost, hurt, or embarrassed! So today we honor Max Erb for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and caring spirit, a fellow student was protected and led to safety. Mr. Nick Carosello who nominated him stated, "While a few other students just kept right on walking, Max took the time to stop and help this student find his way into the building. I talked to the class about how proud I was to see Max do this. I like seeing my students do the right thing and hope Max can be an example to the rest of the class!"
Emilee Hercules
Saints Joachim & Ann School
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Emilee recently celebrated her birthday and her family had a party for her. Even though Emilee was all excited about having a party, she told her family she didn't want presents for herself. Emilee knows about Ronald McDonald House�where families of seriously sick children can stay for free during hospitalizations and when receiving testing or various treatments. So instead of asking for presents, Emilee asked for donations for Ronald McDonald House. And, we're happy to report, Emilee's friends and family respected her wishes and helped celebrate her birthday by giving from their hearts to the charity. So today we honor Emilee Hercules for doing the right thing. Thanks to her kind and generous spirit, countless families and sick children will benefit. Ms. Trudy Manuel who nominated her stated, "Emilee asked for donations for Ronald McDonald House instead of presents for herself. I think that is pretty special for any child�especially a kindergartener!"
Sam Kabureck
Amelia Carriel Junior High School
O'Fallon School District
Sam is a hard working student. It is known by teachers and administrators at school that he is also very helpful to his fellow classmates. So recently it wasn't a surprise when Sam came to the aid of a fellow student. The student had a broken leg and was having a difficult time getting around from class to class. Without being asked, Sam befriended him and helped him carry his books. Whenever needed and without hesitation, Sam came to the young man's aid so he could function as well as possible at school. Thanks to Sam, the young man was able to get through days at school with much less difficulty. So today we honor Sam Kabureck for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and service to others, a fellow student's life at school was much better. Ann Little who nominated him stated, "Sam is always very helpful to his classmates�.which made a difference when he helped another student who has a broken leg. Sam is always respectful and deserves recognition!"
Brooke Leach
Hillsboro Junior High School
Hillsboro School District
Brooke enjoys her friends at school and also likes to be helpful. So when she realized a new, non-English speaking student was in need of some help, Brooke stepped right in. Each day Brooke walked the student to lunch, helped her find a place to sit and spent time with her. Brooke also brought a Spanish translation book to school so she could communicate better with her friend. We're happy to report, thanks to Brooke her friend has been adjusting to school quite well. So today we honor Brooke Leach for doing the right thing. Her kindness and service to others is making a difference in the life of a fellow student. Erin Folwarski who nominated her stated, "Brooke on her won brought in a book to help learn Spanish phrases so she could talk to the new student�.all of this was done without the teacher asking Brooke to help out the new student; Brooke wanted to help the girl feel more comfortable out of the kindness of her own heart!"
Karla Media-Ortiz
Woerner Elementary
St. Louis Public Schools
Karla enjoys school and her classmates. When she realized a special needs student needed some assistance, she volunteered to be her classroom buddy. So, each day during related arts classes, Karla helps her friend. Karla helps her with her work, supports her, and helps her focus on her work. Thanks to Karla, the special needs student is able to do her classroom work much better. And, the student feels welcome in the class because Karla is her helper and friend! So today, we honor Karla Medina-Ortiz for doing the right thing. Thanks to her kindness and giving spirit, a student with special needs is able to be more successful at school and feel better about herself. Ms. Angie Sample who nominated Karla stated, "With her peer support, our new student was able to focus�.Karla displayed great patience, respect, caring and integrity in stepping up to �do the right thing' by helping our new student feel welcome."
Noah Phillips
Union School
Belleville School District #118
Noah knows how to be a good friend at school. So when a new student needed some help in adjusting to his new surroundings, Noah came to his aid. Each day Noah guided the student so he knew his way around the school building. Noah also helped him with the classroom schedule so he could stay on track with the class. No matter what his new classmate's needs were, Noah came to his aid. And we're happy to report that thanks to Noah, his friend is adjusting quite well. So today we honor Noah Phillips for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and service to others, a new student at Union School is adjusting quite well. Ms. Veeta Jackson who nominated him stated, "Noah exhibited superior citizenship qualities when helping a friend in need. He extended his hand in friendship to a new student�.I am proud to nominate Noah for Do The Right Thing because he showed his class how to be a friend �in-deed!"
Grant Starnes
Duello Elementary School
Wentzville School District
Grant is a typical busy first grader. However, since Grant was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes at 2 years old, he appreciates many things in life some students may not. Since he wanted to help others with diabetes as well as himself, he decided to find a way to raise money for a cure! So for the past three summers, Grant has helped his family organize a lemonade stand in his neighborhood called "Grant Me This." And, it's amazing to report that thanks to Grant's efforts, $2,400 has been donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation�just from the lemonade sales alone! So today we honor Grant Starnes for doing the right thing. Thanks to his generosity and service to others, many children who deal with juvenile diabetes will benefit. His aunt Christy Starnes who nominated him stated, "Even though Grant is only a first grader, he demonstrates many character traits�..responsibility, self-discipline, citizenship, respect, integrity, but most importantly a caring spirit that allows him to �do the right thing' and give back! He lives his life with determination, curiosity and most importantly, a smile on his face."
