It is a pleasure to take time from our hectic schedules to recognize students who, in the face of adversity or great challenge, rise above peer pressure and do the right thing when it would be much easier not to do so. And so, it was once again time to celebrate and reward eight of our local students who demonstrated character and ethics by doing the right thing.
The Lakeland Police Department's "Do The Right Thing" (DTRT) awards program recognizes and rewards students who demonstrate a willingness to help others or refuse to go along with the wishes of the wrong crowd when doing so is the easier path to take. Eight students recieved awards yesterday as part of our quarterly DTRT ceremonies.
Students Nick Burger, Travis Capper, and Adam Edwards were the grand prize winners yesterday. The trio discovered a man and his dog yelling for help from the bottom of a deep shaft. The students summoned rescue units and stayed with the man to ensure he remained calm. With evening temperatures dropping, the man faced a frigid night in the hole had these young men not discovered him and notified rescuers.
Other local students recognized for their exemplary behavior include Tyrese Bell, Jonathan Lafon, Dexter Myles, D-Tay Shaw, and Ansley Warner. This group of students were nominated for finding money, wallets, and purses on school grounds and turning them in to school staff or school resource officers instead of just keeping the money themselves. Another student was recognized for being a peacekeeper in his classroom and seeking to resolve disagreements between fellow classmates by talking rather than fighting.
Congratulations to all of our award nominees - you are all winners in our eyes.
Anyone can nominate a deserving student for a Do The Right Thing award. You may obtain a copy of the nomination form here.
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