November 2007

Amanda Altgilbers
Washington Middle School
Mehlville School District

Amanda loves animals and always worries about them when they have no homes. Since she is very talented at making jewelry, Amanda decided to sell her creations in order to raise money to help these pets in some way. Amanda contacted the Animal Protection Agency and was informed where her donations would be most beneficial. After working tirelessly at making and selling her jewelry to friends, family and staff members at Hagemann Elementary where her mother works, Amanda went on a shopping spree. She purchased many items necessary for the proper care of dogs and cats and donated them to the Tesson Ferry Vet Hospital as well as the Animal Protection Agency. The many items she donated greatly benefited both agencies to help care for these special pets. So today we honor Amanda Altgilbers for doing the right thing. Her acts of kindness and generosity will make a difference in the lives of many animals that are in need of special attention and care. While Amanda purchased many necessities, she also donated fun items such as dog and cat toys and treats. Kim Nikolaisen (Nick-O-LIE-son) who works in Technical Support for the Mehlville School District and nominated her stated, “Amanda has a kind heart and a good head on her shoulders. She is an awesome young lady.”


Charles Autry and Timothy Autry
Drummond Elementary
Pattonville School District

Charles and Timothy were having fun at a park with their grandmother when suddenly she seemed to faint and collapse. The boys ran to her side as she gained consciousness. Charles ran to the car and got her cane and then the boys helped her up. They were able to guide her to the car so she could be seated, and then they flagged down a driver and asked that 911 be called. In a short time, medical help arrived and their grandmother was taken to the hospital where it was determined her pacemaker had malfunctioned. We’re happy to report their grandmother was successfully treated and is doing fine! So today we honor Charles and Timothy Autry for doing the right thing. Thanks to their responsible and mature actions, their grandmother received immediate medical attention necessary for a successful recovery. Earlean Lombardo who nominated Charles and Timothy and is their aunt stated, “This was a very scary experience, but the boys kept their cool and showed courage, caring, cooperation and responsibility. If they hadn’t reacted the way they did, this story may not have had a happy ending.”


Nate Baldwin
Jefferson School
Belleville District 118

Nate’s like most 11 year old boys and enjoys recess with his classmates. One day as he was playing with them, a younger group of students came outside. One of the children with special needs approached Nate’s group and wanted to join their kickball activities. Immediately Nate realized it would be difficult for the child, but without hesitation he welcomed him and included him in the group. Not only did he include this child, but Nate showed him how to kick the ball and was very patient and caring towards him. Eventually everyone included the child and fun was had by all!!!! So, today we honor Nate Baldwin for doing the right thing. His acts of kindness and mature actions by including a special needs child in an activity made a positive difference. Not only did Nate make the child feel like he was part of the group, he made him happy and taught him a skill! Mary Beth Blain, Nate’s sixth grade teacher who nominated him stated, “Nate is a great example of not only good character, but a great role model for the rest of our student body.”


Connor Broyles
West Elementary School
Alton School District

Connor is the ultimate fundraiser! For the past few years, he has worked tirelessly to raise money for research for the American Diabetes Association. He has come up with some successful events such as Connor’s Quench for the Cure, which is a lemonade stand he sets up outside of his house. Plus he set up the stand at Alton High School’s graduations for the past three years. He sold so much lemonade at last year’s graduation, he raised over $5,000. In the past three years in fact, Connor has raised over $10,000! So today we honor Connor Boyles for doing the right thing. Thanks to his responsible, selfless actions, a great deal of money has been donated towards research for the cure of diabetes. Amy Stephan of the American Diabetes Association who nominated him stated, “Even though Connor personally faces the pain of diabetes every day, he has worked hard for others to help find a cure. Raising this amount of money is no easy feat for anyone, but especially not for a 9-year old boy.”


Eboni Bryant
Hazelwood Central Middle School
Hazelwood School District

One day at school Eboni received permission to retrieve her instrument from the band room while the room was unoccupied. As she entered the room, she smelled a foul odor which she believed was from smoke. Even though Eboni had things to do, she took the time to seek out the school’s resource officer and reported the possible problem to him. The officer immediately investigated and even though only a few minutes had elapsed, the room was filled with heavy smoke. Emergency personnel arrived and it was determined that the air-conditioning unit had malfunctioned, and the problem was resolved in a short period of time. So today we honor Eboni Bryant for doing the right thing. Due to her responsible and brave actions, a serious problem was avoided. Ms. Nez Savala, (sa-va-la) from Hazelwood Central Middle School’s Communication Office who nominated Eboni stated, “There is no guessing what could have happened if Eboni hadn’t made the discovery, but what’s important is that she helped to avert a serious problem.” We’re happy to report that the damage to the school was minimal and no one was injured.


Baylee Cook
Festus Elementary
Festus School District

A normal day at home took a sudden turn one day for Baylee. She realized her mother was taking a nap but became concerned that she had been sleeping for too long. As Baylee tried to awaken her mother, she touched her head and realized something wasn’t right. Since her mother is a diabetic, Baylee knew her mother was having a problem. Immediately she ran and got her father, explaining something was very wrong. Baylee’s dad realized that his wife was going into a coma and was able to give her the necessary medication to bring her back to consciousness. We’re happy to report that Baylee’s mother recovered and is doing well. So today we honor Baylee Cook for doing the right thing. Thanks to her brave and responsible actions, her mother’s life was saved. Leslee Cook, Baylee’s mother stated, “Baylee saved my life and for a seven year old, that is saying a lot…..And I think everyone should know what a wonderful thing she did not only for me but for our whole family.”


Brandon Dunahee
Home School

As Brandon woke up in the middle of the night, he realized he was experiencing breathing problems and his arm was hot. As he looked at the side of his bed, he realized his room was on fire. Brandon didn’t hesitate to get out of the room and ran upstairs to alert his mother and sisters that his room was on fire. Calmly he led them out the house to safety as the fire alarm finally sounded. Firefighters arrived a short time later, and it was determined that a faulty wire had shorted out which caused the fire. And we’re happy to report no one was injured and most of the damage to the house was contained within Brandon’s room. So, today we honor Brandon Dunahee for doing the right thing. His bravery and courageous actions saved the lives of his mother and sisters. Linda Roy, Brandon’s grandmother stated, “What Brandon did was absolutely amazing. Everyone that has seen the burned room cannot believe he is alive. We are so proud of his actions.”


Melbi Gomez
Bunche International Studies Middle School
St. Louis Public Schools

Melbi is a wonderful friend and student at Bunche. So it wasn’t surprising that when he found out about a student who needed help with English, he volunteered to translate. The student was new to Bunche and Melbi realized the transition was difficult. In order to help the student feel welcome as well as succeed, Melbi asked to be transferred into the same classes as his friend. Thanks to Melbi, both the student and the teachers at Bunche are able to better communicate with one another. And, we’re happy to report his new friend is adjusting very well. So today we honor Melbi Gomez for doing the right thing. Thanks to his kindness and service to others, a young man’s transition at a new school is going very well. Ms. Peggy Hoffmeister, a teacher at Bunche who nominated him stated, “It would have been easier for Melbi to have ignored the situation. He could have kept his schedule the same, but instead he chose to do the right thing. Both the new student and his teachers have benefited greatly from Melbi’s actions.”


Cierra Hughes
Long Middle School
St. Louis Public Schools

Cierra is a new student at Long Middle this year. But that didn’t deter her from becoming the ultimate school citizen. Immediately Cierra established herself as a positive role model and became an active member of the student council. In that role, she leads character education lessons and engages her fellow students in serious conversations about making good choices. Cierra volunteers each week in the in-school suspension room and leads discussions about character education. Even though that is not an easy task, Cierra continues to work with these students to help them understand when they exhibit good character traits, it pays off in life. So, today we honor Cierra Hughes for doing the right thing. Her mature actions and service to others are truly remarkable for an 8th grader. Ms. Marilyn Firestone, a counselor at Long Middle who nominated her stated, “Cierra has established herself as a very positive role model…she has incredible poise and self-confidence in addition to exhibiting all of the positive character traits that she teaches in her character ed lessons. Cierra has the potential to be a great leader some day.”


Katie Lindemann
Immaculate Conception School
Archdiocese of St. Louis

Katie is the ultimate student and volunteer at Immaculate Conception. During her free time after school, Katie volunteers as a tutor for a younger student who faces academic challenges. Each and every day Katie willingly accepts the responsibility of making sure the younger student has all of her homework completed. She also helps the student prepare for the following school day as well as helping her study for tests. No one forces Katie to help this younger child. She does it on her own and thanks to Katie, the student has a chance of doing better in school. So today we honor Katie Lindemann for doing the right thing. Thanks to her kind acts and service to others, an at-risk student is finding success at school. Mr. Tom Stahlman who is the Principal at Immaculate Conception School and who nominated Katie stated, “She is dedicated to the other student’s success and welcomes the challenges that come with such dedication. Thanks to Katie’s commitment, a younger student can enjoy learning and is finding a way to academic success.”



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