September 2009
Brianna Grayson & John Grayson
Ritenour High School
Ritenour School District
On a leisurely summer day Brianna and John were enjoying spending time with their Godmother when suddenly she became ill and became unconscious. Brianna immediately reacted by calling 911 and explained to the dispatcher what was occurring. John also sprang into action and began administering CPR. In a short period of time, emergency medical personnel arrived to continue caring for their Godmother. And, we are happy to report that she survived the ordeal. So today we honor Brianna and John Grayson for doing the right thing. Thanks to their courageous and appropriate actions, their Godmother's life was saved. Patricia Whitener who nominated them stated, "Thanks to Brianna's quick thinking and John remembering CPR that he had learned in physical education, their Godmother is alive. As well as being good kids in every sense of the word, they are also heroes!"
Bryce Higginbotham
Benld Elementary School
Community School District #7
One day this summer when Bryce was spending time with his aunt, he noticed she acted as if something was wrong. Realizing she was a diabetic, he immediately took action. First of all, he called his cousin and told her what was happening so she could call 911. Then Bryce got her a chocolate bar and soda and helped her eat and drink. He also helped her test her blood sugar. Within a few minutes, emergency medical personnel checked her out and thanks to Bryce, she did not go into a diabetic coma. So today we honor Bryce Higgenbotham for doing the right thing. Thanks to his mature and brave actions, his aunt's life was saved. Bryce's dad, Jamey Higginbotham stated, "Bryce saved his Aunt Charlene's life and the whole time he was as cool as a cucumber. I am so amazed that a 7 year old would not only know what to do but would be able to do it correctly."
Samantha Hoggard
Columbia Middle School
Columbia Community Unit #4
Sam really enjoys being helpful. So this summer when she had time on her hands, she found a way to keep busy by volunteering in various ways. Each day Sam would ride her bike to the American Legion Park by her house and noticed that one of the fields needed to be cleaned up. Sam also saw the playground had a lot of litter. Without anyone prompting her, Sam made it a project to clean up both areas and continued to do that throughout her summer vacation. Sam also visited with a business owner in Columbia who is disabled and uses a wheelchair and helped him out. And if that isn't enough, Sam sometimes visited her mother at the nursing home where she works and helped senior citizens who needed attention. So today we honor Samantha Hoggard for doing the right thing. Thanks to her service to others and giving spirit, the community of Columbia benefits greatly. Her guidance counselor Rosemary Leingang (LINE-gang) who nominated her stated, "No one told Samantha to do any of this�.she made our park and community a better place! We are proud to have Samantha in our Middle School."
Bryce Kelly
Saints Peter and Paul School
Archdiocese of Springfield, Illinois
When Bryce was only 7 years old, he heard about a foundation out of Pennsylvania called "Alex's Lemonade Stand" which raises money for pediatric cancer research. Immediately Bryce told his family he wanted to do something to help children with cancer. So for the past three years, Bryce has organized lemonade stand fundraisers for this cause. On his own he organizes the distribution of flyers and pursues donations for raffles. The first year alone Bryce raised $1,700. And we are amazed to report that at this time, Bryce's fundraisers have raised over $10,000! So today we honor Bryce Kelly for doing the right thing. Thanks to his generosity and service to others, Bryce is making a difference in the lives of children who have cancer. His mother Laura Tosi stated, "Bryce recently received a plaque recognizing the stand for being in the top 100 in the nation. I am so proud of him to be a healthy child fortunate enough to have never experienced what a sick child goes through but wants to help in any way he can."
Devon McCoy
Seckman Middle School
Fox School District
While Devon participates in physical education class, he realizes not everyone can find noticed a special needs student required help, he immediately became his friend. Each and every day, Devon went out of his way to help the student participate in all the activities. Never did he mind helping his friend and always chose him to be in his group when playing team sports. Thanks to Devon, his friend truly enjoyed the activities that would have otherwise been very difficult and not so fun to do! So today we honor Devon McCoy for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kind and considerate actions, a special needs student was able to be part of the school community in a positive way. Ed Roberts who was the aide for the special needs student and who nominated Devon stated, "He is one of the finest students I have ever met. He always goes out of his way to be kind and make all his fellow students feel good about themselves. It is an honor to nominate him�he deserves to be recognized for being such a great kid!"
Darrell Simmons
Jefferson School
Belleville District #118
One evening Darrell noticed as his dad was watching TV something seemed wrong with him. Darrell tried to figure out what was going on and realized help was needed. Immediately he called 911 and relayed information about what was occurring. As it turned out, his father was having a seizure, and that had never happened before. Emergency medical personnel arrived a short time later and helped his father. And, we are happy to report he is doing well. So today we honor Darrell Simmons for doing the right thing. Thanks to his mature and brave actions, his dad received the medical attention necessary to recover from a serious problem. His mother Dianne Simmons stated, "My son realized his dad needed help and immediately called 911. Darrell was able to answer questions from the doctor about what happened. I am so proud of him for knowing it was important to call someone!"
Henry Valier
Ladue Middle School
Ladue School District
One afternoon as it was storming, Police Officer Michael Kernen saw Henry standing on a corner. As Officer Kernen stopped to make sure everything was okay, Henry told him he was waiting for his little brother to get off the school bus after his first day of kindergarten. Henry stated, "I want to be sure my brother gets home okay!" And thanks to Henry's unselfish actions, his little brother arrived and they walked home safely. So today we honor Henry Valier for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kind and unselfish actions, his little brother arrived home without any problem while a storm was occurring! Officer Kernen who nominated Henry stated, "His little brother is lucky to have him looking out for him. For his bravery during a storm, his responsibility towards his brother, and his dedication to his family, Henry deserves the right thing award!"
Ernest Washington Jr.
Froebel Literacy Academy
St. Louis Public Schools
Ernest really enjoys his classmates at school and cares about their well being. So when he realized some children at his school were very needy and didn't have enough money for their uniforms, he knew someone needed to do something to help. Realizing he had some uniforms that he no longer needed, he asked his family if he could take them to school for some of the students. And we're happy to report, Ernest brought the uniforms to school and now there are children who have the clothing required in order to attend Froebel Academy. So today we honor Ernest Washington for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kind and giving spirit, many children at his school have benefited. Denise Davis who nominated Ernest stated, "This act of kindness is greatly appreciated because there were many students who do not have uniforms which are required at Froebel. This act is commendable and his teacher and staff members believe he deserves to be commended for doing the right thing."
Jackie Wildt
Babler Elementary
Rockwood School District
As Jackie was riding her bike down the street one day, she heard a commotion coming from the window of one of her friends. As she looked up, she saw her friend trying to get her attention. And, as she leaned on the window screen, her friend suddenly fell out of the window and was hanging by her leg. Jackie immediately took action and told her friend she'd get help. She immediately ran to her friend's door and yelled to her parents that their daughter was hanging from the window. Thanks to Jackie's quick thinking and appropriate actions, her friend's family got to her right away and saved her from falling! So today we honor Jackie Wildt for doing the right thing. Thanks to her brave and appropriate actions, her friend was saved from being seriously hurt. Gary Ingersoll who nominated Jackie stated, "Her proper emergency actions and immediate contact permitted the neighbors to pull the girl back in the window and that prevented serious injury."
