The Punta Gorda Police Department recognized five Charlotte County students on Thursday, February 5th, 2015, for doing the right thing. The students from Charlotte High school, Punta Gorda Middle, Murdock Middle and Neil Armstrong Elementary schools were recognized for their good deeds
Sam Spence a senior at Charlotte High School was nominated by Charlotte High Security Officer Angel Pagan.
A student went to Pagan to obtain assistance in locating a missing cell phone and a wallet with a large sum of money. The student was changing his clothes in a bathroom and left his personal items there when he left. Sam entered the room shortly after the student left his things in the bathroom, and without thinking twice, he immediately took the items to a school office so they could be returned to the proper owner.
Sam is involved in wrestling and football at Charlotte High. He works part time at Winn Dixie and gets great grades in school. He loves watching Millionaire Matchmaker with his mother and has hopes of becoming a pediatrician in the future.
Ambrynn Julius, a fourth grader at Neil Armstrong Elementary School is the next honoree and Another example of honesty.
On January 1st, 2015 after dining at Steak n Shake, Ambrynn found a large bill on the floor near the payment counter. She promptly picked it up and turned it over to the manager without even giving it a second thought.
Ambrynn is very involved in all forms of dance; ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary as well as others. She is part of a special dance team which is going to Universal Studios in March to perform. She loves to read and write and has been involved in Girl Scouts since kindergarten. She is also very active in the federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program.
She gets great grades in school and is in the Omega Program. Last but not least, she loves bird watching and nature in general.
Kalani Carrion, a seventh grader at Murdock Middle School is next to be honored.
One day, not too long ago, Kalani was walking between buildings on the campus of Murdock Middle school. As he was walking, Kalani found a large sum of money on the ground. Without thinking twice about how to deal with the money, Kalani picked it up and immediately took it to the main office.
Once again, you have heard us expound on how happy we are with people who are honest and don’t keep things that do not belong to them.
Kalani loves to exercise and loves soccer and bicycling. In addition, Kalani is described as a very active person. Music also enters into his life in a big way.
Zachary Battaglia, eleventh grade student at Charlotte High school was the next student to be honored. Be amazed at the wonderful story we received about Zachary’s nomination.
Zach is a well-mannered young man who is very personal and compassionate. Zack works at a new area restaurant on weekends and after school to earn money for college. A few weeks ago Zach was working and happened to notice an individual come into his restaurant that looked somewhat down on his luck. When Zack was explaining this, he said he felt kind of sorry for the guy coming in all alone and eating by himself. The man sat outside, ordered a meager meal, ate, and left without Zack noticing, because he was busy bussing tables in the main restaurant.
The staff noticed he had left without paying his bill. A debate started among the staff with several saying they should call the police. Zach, overhearing the debate stated that the guy looked down on his luck, and he offered to pay for his meal. The owner overheard the conversation and thanked Zach and said it was very thoughtful, but he was not taking money from him. Zach’s selfless offer came from his heart. He didn’t see a bad person intentionally trying to steal. He saw a person who needed a little help. This is not about if the man was right or wrong, it is about a young man doing the right thing based on his original compassionate instincts.
Our last recipient for the month of February is Anthony Jones and he attends Punta Gorda Middle School where he is in the sixth grade.
Anthony was nominated for his caring character. Here is what was said in his nomination. On Tuesday 1/06/15 Anthony Jones was on his way to school with my son Jaden Ireland. While crossing U.S. 41 a car ran a red light and struck my son sending him in the air and landing him on top of the car. Anthony without hesitation called his mother who notified me of the incident. Anthony kept calm and relayed all necessary information until a parent was able to get to the scene. I am VERY proud of Anthony for staying calm and by my son’s side and the information he gave us brought some comfort in a traumatic situation. He let us know 911 was called, when they got there, and that Jaden was conscious.
Anthony loves baseball. He gets great grades in school and loves to build things, spends a lot of time hunting and loves video games. He is also very active in his church.
We always like to hear about all of the wonderful things our youth are doing in our communities. If you know of a youth in Charlotte County doing good deeds please nominate them for a Do the Right Thing award at www.puntagordapolice.com or call the Executive Director of Do the Right Thing of Charlotte County, Corporal Tony Pribble at 941-639-4111.
Prepared by:
Tony Pribble
Executive Director – Do the Right Thing of Charlotte County
Punta Gorda Police Department
(941) 639-4111
apribble@pgorda.us