Winners

         Rebecca Zakowski

Eleven-year-old Rebecca attends St. John the Baptist School

Rebecca is being honored because of her love to help others. She helps those who have cancer by volunteering her time during the Relay For Life charity events.

She made candle bags and walked during the reading of all those honored at the event. She also had her hair cut and donated to Locks Of Love so that a wig could be made for a cancer patient.

She also attended Camp Kesem to be with other children who have the experience with someone close to them having cancer.

She plans to be a junior leader at the camp this year.  
 

           Megan Veverka

Megan is a 15-year-old student at Penn High School
 

While in a local grocery store Megan assisted a deaf family whose small infant was injured by a bottle of chemicals falling and striking the infant on the head. As soon as Megan saw what happened, she immediately reacted.

Megan used her sign language skills to facilitate communication between the family, firemen and the paramedics. Megan was able to remain calm during a stressful situation.

She plays the trumpet in the marching band at Penn High School, is a straight A student and volunteers at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She is a member of the freshman mentoring program, Student Council and Interact at Penn High School. She enjoys playing volleyball and softball.  

              Alexis Rogers

Alexis is a 15-year-old student at Memorial High School
 

Alexis is a Granger resident who organizes drives to collect beanie babies, stuffed animals and school supplies to send to soldiers in Iraq.

It all started when Alexis was on the Internet and found a website where soldiers were requesting beanie babies to give to Iraqi children. Alexis was the first person help.

She immediately started making signs to put them in local businesses. She asked for help through the local media. She has already organized many drives in the Michiana area.  One drive brought in 750 beanies, 200 other toys and 90 pounds of school supplies in a two week period. So far her efforts have raised more than 2,000 beanies.

She donates these through a website called www.beaniesforbaghdad.com.

Alexis has been a volunteer at the Elkhart County and Goshen air show. She also likes to bowl and is involved in quite a few leagues.

          De'Andre Moseley

De'Andre is 13-years-old and goes to Marshall Intermediate Center

De'Andre is a seventh grader at Marshall Intermediate Center where one day he had the courage to tell his teacher about an attempted theft.

The teacher was out of the room when De'Andre witnessed other students tampering with her backpack. He immediately reported the incident.

His teacher describes him as a polite young man who is a hard worker and very honest.

De'Andre likes to shop, go to the movies and play basketball.

             Jessica Midgley

Jessica is 9-years-old and goes to St. Monica School

The last few years have been hard for Jessica. Her dad was diagnosed with a devastating disorder. During this time she managed to keep her grades up in school and be supportive to other family members.

Her mom says Jessica is her hero and a true inspiration to others.

Last Christmas she wanted all her toys to be given to the poor children. She also has adopted a grandparent at a local nursing home whom she visits at least once a month.

Jessica's hobbies include reading, art and soccer. Academically she receives A's and B's on her report cards.

Jessica says she would like to become a saint someday and devote her life to helping others.  

           Morgan McNary

Morgan is in the sixth grade at Marshall Elementary
 

When Morgan was 5 ½ she was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. During her hospital visits she received a significant amount of funding from the collection of pop tabs through the Ronald McDonald House.

Now Morgan is 12 years old and cancer free but she hasn't forgotten the support she received years ago and now collects pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.

In the last five years she has worked hard to collect thousands of pounds of tabs for RMH.

Morgan is also involved in club volleyball, church youth group and Notre Dame's Lego League. Morgan's generous heart toward the community makes her a worthy recipient of the Do The Right Thing award.  


            

              Brittany Lyle

Brittany is 9-years-old and goes to Marshall Elementary
 

The staff at the Boys and Girls Club nominated Brittany for this award because she stands out from the many other children who attend their organization.

Recently Brittany witnessed other members engaging in an inappropriate act. Using good judgment Brittany told someone at the club.

On a daily basis she displays a positive attitude and great morale. She is involved in horseback riding, baton twirling and SMART Girls. SMART Girls is a group of young girls learning about and discussing issues that our youth are coping with everyday.

Brittany is being honored with this award because she participates in any activity where she can grow as a productive, responsible and caring citizen.

             Timothy Leonard 

 
Timothy is 10-years-old and goes to Corpus Christi
 

Tim is described as very caring and generous toward others. Last year for his birthday he asked that all his friends make donations to the Make A Wish Foundation instead of buying him birthday gifts.

He's always giving to those less fortunate. He frequently donates toys and clothes to the homeless center. He also donates his allowance to the church and asks that his money be given to the poor.

Tim is also known to help new students feel at home at school.

Another example of Tim's big heart was when his grandmother passed away. Tim asked the priest if he could serve as an altar boy at her funeral. He said his grandmother had never seen him serve and he just wanted to have a special meaning at her service.

Tim plays soccer and basketball and is on the honor roll at school. When he grows up he wants to be a doctor so he can help people get well.

             Breania Davis

Breania is 9-years-old and attends Beiger Elementary
 

Breania is being honored for her calm demeanor and quick thinking during an emergency.

Last November Breania's mom was standing on the couch trying to fix the curtains. That's when she lost her balance and fell, hitting her head on the wood entertainment center and landing on the ground.

When Breania saw what had happened she immediately called 911. She was very calm when she talked to the dispatchers.

This nine year old was able to help her mom with her head before emergency personnel arrived.

She likes cheerleading, basketball, drawing and shopping. She is on the honor roll at school and is also involved in Girl Scouts.  

           Robert Burmeister  

Robert is 13-years-old and attends Christ the King School
 

Robbbie is an eighth grader at Christ the King School. He was nominated by his teacher Deborah Semmler.

Everyday he comes to school 45-minutes early to make sure the kids are safe during morning drop-off. Armed with a walkie talkie he stands guard and alerts someone in the building of any problems.

Not only is he a watchful eye, he lends a hand to any student who needs help with their books. Last year he led his seventh grade class in the amount of community service work he did in the county.

Currently he volunteers once a week at Regency Place. He's also been active in Boy Scouts for the last eight years. When he grows up he wants to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and father in the aviation industry.  

          Amanda Garoutte

Amanda is in the 12th grade at Penn High School
 

Amanda was nominated by Sgt. John Radde of the St. Joseph County Police Department for her help in saving the live of an injured motorist.

On Labor Day weekend, Amanda and some of her friends were driving down a New Carlisle road when they noticed a motorcyclist pass them at a high rate of speed. Knowing the driver might have a hard time making a turn, Amanda and her friends watched as the driver crashed into a railing.

Amanda and her friends quickly turned around, called 9-1-1 and went to help the motorcyclist. They stayed with him until emergency personnel arrived. This biker is alive today because of Amanda and her friends.

Amanda is on the swim team at Penn High School, a member of a community service program called “Inter Act” and an academic honor student. She hopes to study Marketing and Graphic Design next year at Indiana University.  
 

            Robbie Wozniak


Robbie is in the 6th grade at Discovery Middle School
 

Robbie is respectful, caring and a hard worker. That’s what his former neighbor Linda Meeks says about him. She nominated him for this award after he helped her many times around her home.

Mrs. Meeks mentioned she’s tried to hire other teens to help her, but they complained about the work. She says Robbie would do her yard work without being told or expecting payment. He mowed her lawn, pulled weeds and took care of her aluminum cans.

It’s work that Mrs. Meeks greatly appreciated. Robbie’s parents say Robbie is also very helpful around their home too.

This 6^th grader is involved in Rocket Football and basketball. His attitude toward helping others is the reason why he is a recipient of this award.    

 

           Wade Reygaert

Wade is in the 11th grade at Washington High School
 

Cadet Major Wade Reygaert is a pivotal member of the Washington High School AFJROTC program and holds several key positions. He is the Operations Officer responsible for cadet uniforms; Color Guard Commander responsible for the presentation of the colors during sporting events; the Assistant Drill Team Commander; and he also schedules the annual military ball, Toys For Tots and the POW/MIA Candlelight Vigil.

Academically he maintains a 3.7 GPA in all five advanced placement courses. He is the President of Student Council, member of the “Friends” Antiviolence group, member of the National Association of Student Councils, team captain for “Postponing Sexual Involvement,” and light and sound technician for the school drama club.

Wade’s ultimate goal following graduation in 2006 is admission to the United States Air Force Academy and a career as an Air Force pilot. He is awarded the Do The Right Thing award because he is an exceptional student and role model who leads by example.  

 

               Ryan Reed

Ryan is in the 12th grade at Clay High School
 

Ryan has a unique interest that has involved a lot of research. He is currently working on producing biodiese and the equipment necessary to produce it. This interest started back in 7^th grade when he would build robots powered by batteries. He got tired of recharging the batteries and started research on alternative energy.

Right now he is designing and building all the equipment to produce biodiese with the help of his dad. He hopes to someday own and operate his own alternative fuel plant so he can help the environment. He’d also like to give consumers other options besides purchasing imported fuel.

Ryan is involved in 4-H Electronics and Woodworking. He works at a machine shop and he enjoys dirt bike riding. His love of learning to find ways to keep our environment clean is a reason to give him this award.  
 

              Hannah Natali

Hannah is a fourth grader at Hums Elementary
 

This past summer Hannah Natali and Callie Louzenhiser wanted to be caring friends. They took it upon themselves to collect money for a sick friend and his family. After walking around their neighborhood and asking for donations, the girls raised more than $200. Hannahs' good deed caught the attention of Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea. He nominated her for this award. Hannah says you've got to treat others the way you want to be treated. Hannah is receiving this award because of her practice of the golden rule. She is involved in the Michiana Soccer Association, the Upward Basketball League, River Valley Community Basketball and she's the ball girl for the Bethel College Men's Basketball Team.
 

             Hunter Manning

Hunter is in the first grade at Beiger Elementary
 

Hunter was involved in a very scary incident this past summer involving his grandmother.

On a brief vacation to Florida, Hunter’s grandmother began to convulse and passed on the floor. Hunter’s sister Kaleigh called 9-1-1 while Hunter watched outside the hotel room for the ambulance. He directed the emergency team to their hotel room where they stabilized and transported his grandmother to the hospital.

It was his quick reaction that helped save the life of his grandmother. In this case, doing the right thing was easy for Hunter.

He is receiving this award for his courage and strength during an emergency.


 

          Kaleigh Manning

Kaleigh is a third grader at Beiger Elementary
 

Recently Kaleigh and her brother Hunter went on a vacation with their grandmother to Florida.

While at the hotel the children’s grandmother started convulsing and passed out on the floor. Unable to get a response, Kaleigh call 9-1-1. It’s what she learned from her first grade teacher.

Kaleigh remained calm as she told the dispatcher what had happened. While on the phone, Kaleigh remained at her grandmother’s side.

It was her quick and calm thinking that helped save her grandmother’s life, and for that she is a recipient of the Do The Right Thing award.

Kaleigh is involved in Girl Scouts and loves horses. 



        

          Callie Loutzenhiser

Callie is a third grader at Hums Elementary

With the help of her friend Hannah Natali, Callie Loutzenhiser set out to do the right thing for a friend with cancer.

The girls went door-to-door in their neighborhood to collect money for the family. Their efforts raised more than $200.

Callie says she just wanted to help her friend and make him feel better. It’s something she learned at church and in the values curriculum offered at Hums Elementary.

Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea found out about Callie’s good deed and nominated her for this award.

Callie is involved in gymnastics. She’s a straight A student and she likes to draw, write and read.

 

               Troy Fisher

Troy is in the 12th grade at Clay High School
 

Troy received straight A’s on his report card this past quarter. However, that was not the case last year at this time.

During the beginning of his junior year he was failing many of his classes. He was also on the verge of being kicked out of school because of his high number of truancies.

Though this type of behavior in unacceptable, it was a difficult time for Troy. He was dealing with 8 deaths in his family.

With support from his family and teachers at Clay, Troy overcame his grief and worked hard to receive outstanding grades.

Troy’s teacher Mrs. Kindelan noticed his tremendous improvement academically and nominated him for this award.

Troy also works at an auto parts store and plans to seek more education after high school.  

             Andrew Fanin

Andrew is in the 10th grade at Clay High School
 

Andrew’s quick thinking and kind heart makes him a perfect recipient of this award.

On Sept. 13, 2004 Holly Simon and Derek Erquhart were riding on a motorcycle when a car turned in front of them. Both were thrown from the bike. Andrew immediately stopped to help. He saw right away that Holly’s ankle was broke.

Andrew used what he had learned from his six years of Boy Scouts and held up Holly’s ankle. It was later learned that his actions probably saved her ankle from amputation.

Andrew was nominated by Holly’s mother. She says Andrew is a real hero and for that he is a worthy recipient of the “Do The Right Thing” award.

Andrew played on the Clay High School Football team and is in his second year of ROTC.


 

       Alexandra Burlingame

Alexandra is 14-years-old and in the 8th grade at St. Joseph School
 

Alexandra is an exceptional student, artist and writer. She has won grand prize several times for the story-writing contest at the St. Joseph County Public Library. She has even visited a first grade classroom at Roosevelt Elementary where she read one of her stories.

She is described as very caring, sensitive, articulate and mature. One year for Christmas she asked for a goat to be purchased for a family in India so they would have milk.

She's also donated hair to the Locks of Love foundation; has spent time at the Center for the Homeless in South Bend; participated in Quiz Bowl, a competitive quizzing meet with various private schools and is a former fencing student.

This 14-year-old has excellent grades and continues to do the right thing in all she tries to accomplish.


 

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