Miami Herald Archived Article March 20, 2003

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Herald staff
PUBLICATION: The Miami Herald
SECTION: Neighbors NW
DATE: March 20, 2003
EDITION: Final
Page: 20NW
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JACKSON SENIOR'S DEEDS EARN SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Ten students from schools throughout MiamiDade County were named the January winners of the Do The Right Thing
Program, sponsored by the Miami Police Department, British Airways, The Miami Herald and WTVJNBC 6.
Winners were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted for January.
Chief John F. Timoney of the Miami Police Department presented the prizes at a special ceremony on Feb. 21.
The January awards were cosponsored by Carnival Cruise Lines, Cookies By Design South Miami, Metrozoo, Miami
Museum of Science, Pizza Hut and The Cloverleaf Bowling Alley who all helped pay for or donate prizes to the winners and
Tshirts for all nominees.
Additionally, each month's Special Recognition winner receives a free trip to London, courtesy of British Airways.
Special Recognition went to JUDITH ORIENTAL, senior, Jackson High:
An excellent student and leader, Judith is president of the Spanish National Honor Society and was chairperson of the
Jackson OpenHouse backtoschool activities.
She has dedicated countless hours to her school, including organizing and chairing the ``Student of the Week'' awards
program. She helps honor fellow students for their academic achievement by recognizing them on the morning
announcements and issuing them a certificate of recognition.
One of her passions, stemming from the loss of her home and belongings when her Miami home flooded twice, is the
Miami Rescue Mission, where she has served 300 hours.
She also planned and organized two food drives for the Thanksgiving holiday, two Christmas toy drives in 2001 and 2002
and an Easter clothes and food drive donating all collected items to the Rescue Mission.
When Judith found out about her teacher's involvement in raising money to build a chicken farm in Haiti, she sold candy
and raised $200.
HEISY BARRIOS, 10th grade, Braddock High:
Heisy may not have many material possessions but that hasn't stopped her from sharing what she has with others. Heisy's
father is on disability and her mother cannot work because she must care for him.
Even though it is difficult for Heisy's family of four to survive with their current financial situation, Heisy focuses on doing
the right thing.
She is a cheerleader and a model, although with the cost involved with these activities, it is sometimes difficult for her to
participate. But Heisy makes do with what she has and is determined to help others in the meantime.
Over the summer, she volunteered 150 hours at the YMCA. She also volunteered to help her sister at the Abdon Medical
Center and babysits for her aunt every other week.
She wants to be a doctor when she gets older so that one day, she will be able to take care of her parents.
VERONICA BRENA, fifth grade, Riverside Elementary:
Veronica is used to hardship and overcoming obstacles. Her mother was born blind and her father, who is now divorced
from her mother, lost his eyesight as a result of an accident.
On Dec. 27, Veronica was proudly playing her new portable organ at her mother's wedding.
They returned home that day to find their East Little Havana apartment had been ransacked and stripped of a PlayStation,
DVD player, Veronica's new camera and her mom's autographed collection of CDs.
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They also stole Veronica's mother's computer, which contained a special program for the blind. This served as a family
lifeline that allowed the mother to pay bills online and to help Veronica with her homework.
Throughout the ordeal, Veronica consoled her mother by saying: ``Mom, just be happy that we were not home that
nothing happened to us. Please be brave.''
Veronica works hard to do well in school. She reads to her mother and on several occasions she has prevented her
mother from being hit by an oncoming car while crossing the street.
BEATRICE ELDON, senior, School For Applied Technology:
Beatrice, the youngest of five, always struggled with sibling comparisons.
At age 13, she found comfort in hanging out with her best friend not knowing she would lose her that year. Her friend
was shot, a victim of domestic violence.
Depressed, Beatrice rebelled. A negative attitude, trouble in school, associating with the wrong crowd and disrespect
prevailed.
But this year Beatrice blossomed and became her own person. She is doing well in school and became involved in Student
Government, where she motivates students to participate in extracurricular schoolwide activities.
She also ran for the an executive position for a service club, proving she can be a good leader. Beatrice has also won the
citizenship and Pepsi Circle award. She helped coordinate the cannedfood drive for needy students at St. Francis Xavier
School and collected pennies for the United Way.
Recently, she and several classmates performed the African Tribal dance routine for the Black History Month Program. No
longer the youngest sibling after her mother adopted two boys, Beatrice is committed to helping at home with raising the
boys.
She has also become more active in her church helping with functions and participating in the Friday Street Ministry.
ANTHONY FISHER, senior, South Dade High:
Because Anthony has overcome many obstacles, he is determined to improve the lives of others.
He is president of the 5000 Role Model Program at South Dade High. He is also a peer leader in the Stay In School
program and the Emotionally Handicapped Program, where he helps peers better themselves and helps students become
leaders in the community.
Additionally, he works with adults on how to talk to students who do not want to listen to their elders.
His goal is to motivate others to do the right thing at all times. Anthony is an excellent student who helps fellow students
achieve. His participation in school projects has benefited the school by getting kids who were at high risk of drop out to
improve their grades and to be more involved in school activities.
He has even advised and encouraged many to go to college and his encouragement has changed lives. He is a positive
role model in a community where many kids do not finish school.
At home, Anthony helps the elderly in his apartment complex by cooking, cleaning and bringing them groceries.
BRIETTA GANTTROTMAN, third grade, Skyway Elementary:
Brietta suffers from sickle cell anemia. Because of the disease, she is frequently unable to walk because her joints tighten
and become inflamed.
This causes Brietta to miss many school days, but it doesn't affect her spirit. She maintains a B average despite her
absences and is determined not to let her illness affect her learning.
Cold weather tends to increase her pain and she is often unable to get out of bed without assistance.
But Brietta manages to come to school. She just wants the opportunity to run, play and enjoy her life like a normal 8
yearold.
This school year, she hopes to spend more time in school than in the hospital.
MARCO GONZALEZ, fourth grade, Colonial Drive Elementary:
Marco is a student who goes out of his way to help others. He is known for his countless acts of kindness, caring attitude
and constant smile.
He escorts Exceptional Education students to and from their homerooms and takes bundled newspapers to the
classrooms.
From picking up litter daily to bringing in the school's mail, Marco does the right thing. Marco was instrumental with
assisting a student who was lost at a University of Miami football game.
He also helped calm and care for another student who suffered from heat exhaustion. At another sporting event, Marco
noticed everyone received a football for a contest except a student who was unable to participate.
Upon seeing the student's sadness, Marco offered his football to the student. Marco's generosity was also noted when he
donated his weekly allowance to the United Way to help his class reach their goal.

BRUCELINE MICHEL, senior, Northwestern High:
Bruceline is always willing to help her mother with her little brother. Bruceline has served over 100 community service
hours as a volunteer at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she checks patients' blood pressure, makes up beds and assists
the staff with other duties.
She knows the value of a good education and therefore spends time on Saturdays helping fourth and fifthgraders from
Oak Grove Elementary prepare for the FCAT.
With a talent for math, Bruceline has spent over 150 hours tutoring at the school. She is a member of the National Honor
Society, Student Government Association, the yearbook staff and the Power Society at school.
At Christmas, she not only helped collect toys for needy children at Holmes Elementary School, but she delivered them
and then read books to the 4yearolds. Bruceline has a 3.6 GPA and plans to be an obstetrician.
RONI NETANEL, first grade, Ojus Elementary:
Roni sits next to a boy who is in the Exceptional Student Education Program. The boy is new to the public school system
and is having trouble staying focused in class.
Every morning, Roni helps him unpack his backpack and get ready for his ESE classes. She helps him organize his desk
and displays the patience to see him complete the task.
She also reminds him daily to check his folders for notes from his parents and other assignments due. The teachers are
amazed at the compassion Roni shows to her fellow student.
Roni is a model student in her class and to other students as well.
She is responsible for taking the attendance folder to the office daily, and when a message is given to the office staff, she
conveys it correctly each time to ensure accuracy.
MERLINE RAYMOND, senior, Central High:
Merline is an outstanding senior in the computer magnet program. She has been succeeding in numerous advanced
placement and honors classes.
Merline has a 4.367 GPA and ranks sixth out of a class of 462 seniors. This is quite an accomplishment considering the
obstacles Merline has faced.
Merline was born in the Bahamas and was diagnosed with cancer at age 2 months. She came to the United States to be
treated.
As a result, she is not listed as a citizen of any country. Merline has undergone eight surgeries (three to save her life) and
seven years of chemotherapy.
She also suffered from a birth defect that contributed to poor self image. In spite of her difficulties, Merline maintains a
good attitude and sweet personality.
She has invested 54 hours teaching English to Haitian children, 150 hours helping kids with assignments, eight hours
cleaning up the math department, five hours doing Students Against Destructive Decisions presentations and five hours
teaching Spanish to children at Little Kiddy Camp.
At school, Merline has been involved with SADD, the National Honor Society and the Bible Club.
As a senior she is also active in the Interact Club, Student Government Association, Senior Class Congress, Mu Alpha
Theta and the Urban League of Miami.
Merline is also involved in Haitian programs at her school and has been listed in Who's Who Among American High School
Students.
For more information about the Do The Right Thing Program, log on to www.dothe
rightthinginc.org or call 3055793344.

Miami Herald Archived Article March 20, 2003

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Miami Herald Archived Article March 20, 2003