Four local students were recognized on Thursday for exceptional behavior during December's Do The Right Thing awards ceremony at the Lakeland Police Department. It is always heartwarming and uplifting to hear about the positive accomplishments of our students. This month's nominees are worthy of this recognition.
From left to right: Officer Billy Wayne Skinner, Allyson Lewis, Shy'peria Brown, Lucas Catlett, and Robert Stephenson.
Overall Winner:
Allyson Lewis - a sophomore at Lakeland Senior High School, Allyson was recognized for her calm and heroic actions during an emergency. Allyson was riding her morning bus to school with many other students when she noticed the driver was experiencing difficulty maintaining control of the bus. When the driver passed out and the bus rolled off the roadway, Allyson helped maintain control of the situation by remaining calm and calling upon the other students as she turned off the engine, called 911, and escorted the other students off the bus.
Runner Up Awards:
Shy'peria Brown - a first grader at Rochelle School of the Arts, Shy'peria is already a high achiever in life. At the mere age of six, she has become a role model for others by assisting in teaching Sunday School, tutoring her little brother in reading and writing, ushers at church, sings in the children's choir, and maintains good manners at school and home. Shy'peria is also a class motivator at school with a cheerful outlook and attitude as she helps classmates resolve conflicts and assists the teacher. With an infectious smile and positive day to day behavior, Shy'peria is a constant model of choosing to do the right thing.
Lucas Catlett - is a fourth grader at Sleepy Hill Elementary School. Though his family was experiencing economic difficulties in these challenging times (something that children easily pick up and understand), Lucas saw beyond his own situation and recognized another who had far greater needs. Lucas saw another student wearing shoes being held together with tattered laces falling apart. He felt the child needed what he had and gave him is own laces from his shoes. Sometimes it is the smallest gifts that mean the most.
Robert Stephenson - is an eighth grader at Southwest Middle School. While attending P.E. classes, he overheard students discussing a group of girls that were away from the class injuring themselves. No one took the initiative to help. Robert recognized the danger and went to see what the other students were doing. He observed the group of young girls were sitting away and hurting themselves with a piece of broken glass. Robert immediately notified a teacher of the situation. Because he chose to do the right thing rather than ignore it as the other students were doing, the girls were able to get psychological and medical attention they needed.
Congratulations to each of you for your willingness to do the right thing.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
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