Christina Michael with Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Natasha DePrimo.
During the commission meeting on May 23, the Coconut Creek Police honored students and a teacher for their outstanding achievements. These students were nominated for The Do the Right Thing Awards program in recognition of the positive impact they have made in their schools.
Christina Michael
Christina Michael
Christina Michael, a senior at the Dave Thomas Center, was nominated by Jessica Swanson, an assistant principal. She was described as “selfless, passionate, and the ultimate team player.” Michael came to Florida one year ago after leaving Haiti. She was placed on a fast track to earn a high school diploma and was seen as a hard-working student who would help classmates struggling with their academic work.
Tatiana Sapp and Asiya Kone
Tatiana Sapp and Asiya Kone
Tatiana Sapp and Asiya Kone, two fourth graders at Coconut Creek Elementary School, were nominated for the care they showed classmates in the cafeteria. They saw a boy sitting alone and visited with him. Cafeteria workers noticed the two girls and how they cared for him and other classmates at lunchtime. They are known as social honeybees and were nominated by Stephanie Futscher of the school.
Jean-Daly William
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Natasha DePrimo and Jean-Daly William.
Jean-Daly William, a student at Coconut Creek High, won because he cared for others and made positive contributions. He is ranked eighth out of 500 students in his class and is pursuing a Cambridge diploma. William was accepted into the licensed practical nursing program and is on track to earn a Bright Futures Scholarship. He was nominated by Jill Ridinger, who noticed his efforts during an S.O.S. Children’s Village fundraising effort. They were $50 short of their goal, and the next day, William came to school with $50 for the Village. Ridinger believed that the $50 was his own money. He said, “This is always someone less fortunate than we are.”
Jayla Dacosta
Jayla Dacosta, a Coconut Creek High School senior, won because of her commitment to honesty and care for others. She was nominated by her P.E. teacher, Carlton Jackson. Dacosta found a debit card, cash app, and gift card during a class. She returned them to Jackson, who returned the items to their owner. Dacosta, a Latino in Action member, helped organize a Hispanic Heritage Month showcase. She is in the Rise Club, where she volunteers to help kids learn to read. This fall, Dacosta will enroll in the Atlantic Technical College nursing program.
Daniela Arias
Daniela Arias, a second grader at Coconut Creek Elementary, won because of her care and concern for others. Melissa Howe nominated her because she noticed that Arias always works hard to complete her classwork and helps classmates who struggle with their academic work. Howe wrote that Arias “shows kindness, self-control, and perseverance.”
Robert Carradine
Robert Carradine, who teaches U.S. History at Coconut Creek High School, was named teacher of the month. He was nominated by Stepanie Ceron, a mother to two Do the Right Thing winners. She wrote that her daughter has not been this happy with a teacher since elementary school. “Mr. Carradine engages with his students, making learning fun and a huge impact on everyone in his classroom.”
Scotty Leamon, the public safety officer for the Coconut Creek Police Department, provided information on the winners.
Do The Right Thing (DTRT) aims to encourage positive relationships between law enforcement and young people in the community. It recognizes youth for bravery, courage, and valor in areas such as volunteering, helping law enforcement, leadership, positive behavior, and doing well in school, as well as public safety officer Scotty Leamon.
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- David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.
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