Each month through the school system’s character recognition program, Amazing Acts of Character, schools are asked to nominate students who display character above and beyond expected behavior.
Five students were recently selected from individual school nominations for displaying Amazing Acts of Character and were recognized and honored during the Cumberland County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of CCS Central Services building. The honorees are as follows:
Samuel Zeisset, a 1st grader at Raleigh Road Elementary School – According to the 6-year-old’s teacher, Cinnamon Palso, Samuel earned a pass during a recent fundraiser to visit the video game truck for 30 minutes with a friend. On the day the game truck visited the elementary school, a new student started school. Palso said that when she asked Samuel which classmate/ friend he wanted to accompany him in the game truck, he chose the new student because it was his first day at a different school. “I thought he was a very caring person to ask our new student so that he would know that he has a friend at his new school,” said Palso.
Gracie Shearin, a 5th grader at Long Hill Elementary School – Susan Bucolo, a third-grade teacher at Long Hill Elementary, said she has noticed that the fifth grader is “a kind and caring child who puts her family and friends first.” During the holidays, Gracie assembled holiday bags that contained various items for the homeless. With the help of her mother and several generous adults, the 10-year-old filled the holiday bags with personal care items, e.g., toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc. “The bags for the homeless is just another way she is showing her compassion and care for others,” said Bucolo. “The fact that she has taken the time to care for those in need at the holiday season is commendable.”
Jaevonte Lindsey, a 7th grader at Lewis Chapel Middle School – Lewis Chapel Middle School Counselor Rotisha Hall said that since the first day of school, the 12-year-old “has gone above and beyond expectations” regarding the care and attention he gives one particular schoolmate, who has special needs. According to Hall, Jaevonte assists his peer with getting back and forth to his classes, opening his locker, maneuvering during lunch period, and directing him to his school bus in the afternoon. Hall said that Jaevonte will even intervene if he feels his peer is being bothered by other students. “Jaevonte exhibited the act of caring by stepping up, as a fellow peer, to lend a helping hand without being directed or forced,” said Hall. “He goes above and beyond to make sure his peer gets through the day like every other student within our school.”
Sherai Hebert, a 7th grader, and Kellyce Hebert, a 12th grader, at Reid Ross Classical Middle and High School, respectively - According to Reid Ross Classical School Counselor Elizabeth Linville and Social Worker Tawanda McLaurin, sisters Sherai and Kellyce recently “demonstrated that caring can be part of our daily routine.” The 12 and 17-year-old, without suggestion from anyone, collected several large holiday-wrapped boxes of home goods and personal care items (toilet paper, laundry and dish detergent, toothpaste, paper towels, etc.), brought them to the school and gave them to McLaurin to distribute to families in need at their school. “They heard that families were in need, right here in our community and in our school, and cared enough to do something about it,” said Linville and McLaurin. “We always stress sharing and giving, but often young people need to be shown the way to do it. Sherai and Kellyce did this on their own and really helped our school families.”
The Amazing Acts of Character committee selects winners based on school nominations. The winners are then recognized at the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, where they are presented with a special trophy and certificate.
