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William Simas
Selwyn Elementary School
Three years ago, William had an idea to have a
fundraiser for the Harvest Center (http://theharvestcenter.org/)
here in Charlotte. He wanted to touch the lives of
others who find themselves in a tough spot. William
just held a fundraiser and raised more than $1200
dollars for the center. The Harvest Center helps
low-income and homeless citizens in Charlotte who
are unable to receive other aide. His selflessness
has had a tremendous impact on our city! |
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Demetrius Lewis
Ridge Road Middle School Grade 7
Demetrius was at home alone after school when a
burglar attempted to break into his house. He stayed
calm and ran upstairs and locked the door behind
him. He called 911 to report the crime. He then
called his parents who responded immediately and
thwarted the attempted break-in. Responding officers
called him “very brave” for what he did. We are
proud of him for his actions and for remaining safe. |
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Gilbert Medina
Renaissance at Olympic High School Grade 12
Gilbert recently discovered that another student had
a concealed weapon on school grounds. The student
had a knife in class. Gilbert reported the incident
to the teacher despite the fact that the other
student was a friend. The other student was
suspended from school as a consequence of his
inappropriate action. Concerned for his friend’s
studies, Gilbert took the initiative to collect the
student’s assignments and deliver the work to him
during his suspension. Gilbert did not do this out
of fear of retribution, but with the hope that his
friend would learn from his mistake and return to
the academic fold. Additionally, Gilbert Medina has
been instrumental in starting a drive to collect
pledges and donations for various academic programs
across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools through the
“Waiting for Superman” movie campaign. When he began
working to encourage parents and fellow students to
donate $5 pledges, and see the movie about
educational challenges, Charlotte was not on the
national leader board. Today, Charlotte is ranked #7
in the nation; the only city of 1 million people or
less to appear in the top 10. This is due in large
part to Gilbert’s work.
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Matthew Cihil
Albemarle Road Middle School Grade 6
Last year, when Matthew was in fifth grade at
Shamrock Gardens Elementary School, a fellow student
began choking on a rubber band. The substitute
teacher frantically called the office for
assistance. Matthew did not hesitate to perform the
Heimlich Maneuver, which quickly dislodged the
rubber band from the girl’s throat. She was very
grateful and Matthew’s classmates cheered for his
heroic effort. Matthew’s mother is a nursing
assistant and reported that Matthew had seen her
perform the Heimlich before. |
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Hudson DeCarlo
Bain Elementary School Grade 2
In a fundraiser late last year, when Hudson was in
the first grade, children were asked to bring in
change to donate to help fund research to find
treatments and cures for Cystic Fibrosis. Hudson
went home, emptied his own wallet and brought in
almost twenty dollars to help sick children in need.
When he brought the money in, he had not asked his
mother for money to donate or dug around to find
change. He gave all he personally had because he
wanted to “help the little boy that was sick”. His
generosity is an inspiration. |
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Jalen Ferguson
Stoney Creek Elementary School Grade 5
Jalen was home in bed asleep when he was awakened by
someone knocking on the door. He looked out the
window and saw a man outside his house that he did
not know. He started down the stairs when he heard
glass breaking. He ran back upstairs, woke his older
brother, and told him that someone was breaking in.
Jalen followed his brother’s instructions and hid
under the covers until the burglar left the house.
Jalen remained calm and was able to give the
responding officers a good description of the
criminal. When the suspect was apprehended by CMPD
Officers, Jalen was able to positively identify the
man. |
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Demond Ferguson
Zebulon B. Vance High School Grade 9
On 7/21/2010 officers received a call for a burglary
in progress. Demond had been awakened by his younger
brother Jalen who told him that someone was breaking
into their home. Demond hid his younger brother in
his bedroom and called 911 to report the crime. The
suspect kicked the front door open and entered the
house. The burglar came upstairs to Jalen’s bedroom
and took a Wii. Demond stayed on the line with the
911 operator until officers arrived. He remained
calm and was very helpful in the apprehension of the
suspect. |
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Sydney Anthony
James Martin Middle School Grade 7
Sydney had an encounter with a male student in her
school that involved some inappropriate behavior,
language and touching. She did not retaliate, but
choose to bring the situation to the attention of
her teacher and the School Resource Officer. Sydney
provided the officer with a detailed account of the
incident and helped the officer identify the male
student. The officer was able to criminally charge
the male student which relieved Sydney and her
parents. It may also have prevented another young
female student from an unwanted, unfortunate
encounter. The SRO was very impressed with Sydney’s
brave and confident demeanor in handling this
incident. |
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DeQuawn Rivers
Morgan School Grade 4
A seven year old student became very upset about
something that happened on the school bus. When he
got off the bus, the student dropped his book bag
and began walking away from the school with his head
down and his fists clenched. The student eventually
stopped in the parking lot and looked as if he were
contemplating running away or acting defiantly. As
the student stood there, DeQuawn picked up the
child’s book bag and walked to him. After giving the
student his book bag, DeQuawn put his arm around the
student and convinced him to walk into the school.
DeQuawn’s initiative in calming the young student
was significant. If the youngster had run from staff
members through the streets of downtown Charlotte,
it could have presented some obvious dangers for the
student and staff members. |
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Juan Chavez
Alexander Middle School Grade 8
While at the bus stop, two suspicious male adults
were attempting to talk to a female student. The
female student became nervous and was afraid to walk
home by herself. Juan escorted her to her house to
make sure she arrived safely and informed her mother
of the incident. The student’s mother called the
school and reported the incident. Proper authorities
were at the bus stop the next day. |
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Prince Mayela
West Mecklenburg High School Grade 11
Prince has played varsity football since he was in
the 9th grade at West Meck. This summer several of
the players went to eat at a restaurant before a
game. The students were all wearing their football
jerseys. Two of the players decided to leave the
restaurant without paying for their meal. The
restaurant manager called the head football coach
and informed him of the incident. Prince is the team
captain and when asked by the coach, he immediately
told the coach who the players were without thinking
about the implications, if any. The situation was
resolved and the players were given consequences.
Prince gained even more respect from his teammates
because of his actions, especially the younger
players. He is an excellent example of a young man
of strong character and great leadership skills. |
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Jacorian Neal
First Ward Elementary School Grade 5
Jacorian overheard some students planning to give
some pills to other students at school. The students
brought pills to school and were trying to make it
look as if they had an illegal substance. Their plan
was to give the pills to students during the school
day. Jacorian heard the conversation and saw the
pills. He did not touch the pills and he did not go
along with their plan. Instead, Jacorian made the
principal aware of what the boys had and what they
were planning to do. |
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Ciera Gillespie
Cornelius Elementary School Grade 4
Ciera Gillespie wrote and published a book, through
the public library, to assist cancer patients with
ideas on how to make their life richer while dealing
with their disease in the hospital. Ciera and her
family are working through this with her grandfather
who was diagnosed with cancer. Ciera is using her
strengths, and what she is learning from her
grandfather, to help other patients in the
community. She donated her book to the Cancer
Hospital. Not only is this a support for the
patients, but Ciera is a model for all of us at
Cornelius Elementary. She teaches us a life lesson
about focusing on others and how it helps to heal
oneself. |
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Cai Chuong
New Technology at Garinger High School Grade 12
Recently a student in our school had major chest
pains. He was from Vietnam and was Montenyard. The
student only spoke Jari and could not communicate
with the school nurse. Cai was called to the office
to translate. It was determined that Emergency
Medical attention was needed and school staff called
911. Cai translated for the EMTs and when the
student was transported to Presbyterian Hospital,
the emergency personnel requested that Cai accompany
them to translate. Once at the hospital, Cai helped
the nurses and the emergency room doctor by
translating for them. When the student was diagnosed
with a collapsed right lung, Cai translated for the
student’s mother to help her understand and to get
her to the hospital. Additionally, Cai went into the
operating room with the surgeons to translate for
the patient as the surgeon explained the procedure
and the purpose of the surgery. Without Cai’s help,
medical attention would have been delayed for this
student. Cai went above and beyond expectations to
help save the life of a young man who could not
speak for himself. |
