City School District of Albany students continue to Do the Right Thing, and school resource officers Chris English and Nicole Reddix made personal deliveries on Wednesday to seven whose efforts stood out in January. 

“Do the Right Thing” is a collaboration that began last fall between the school district, the City of Albany and the Albany Police Department. Middle- and high-school students are nominated each month for their accomplishments, positive behavior and good deeds. Each month a committee determines the top students, who win Samsung tablets and other great prizes.

January’s top students are:

• Lillian Cash, grade 9, Albany High School. Why chosen: Despite having some physical restrictions from a childhood accident, she has thrived through her participation in the virtual classroom. She engages with her fellow students and teachers, has high grades and actively participates. Her responses are thoughtful, and she always has a positive attitude.
• Joshua Cuevas, grade 7, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School. Why chosen: A volunteer at the South End Children’s Café, he delivered food during the pandemic and was an all-around great help. One rainy night, he delivered 40-lb. food boxes uphill to neighbors’ houses. He is an important presence at the Children’s Café, tending the garden on the weekends, cleaning and doing anything that needs to be done.
• E’maj Holland Hook, grade 7, Edmund J. O’Neal Middle School of Excellence. Why chosen: He goes above and beyond to help his classmates who have any trouble with their assignments. He even shows teachers new ways of using Chromebooks! Recently, his aunt had a seizure and fainted. Hook got another family member to call 911 for help and then helped care for his two-week old cousin while his aunt recovered in the hospital. He never missed a class during that time. 
• Kaliana Moren, grade 6, North Albany Middle School. Why chosen: She started the school year late after moving 2,000 miles from Wyoming to Albany. She did not have access to a Chromebook immediately, but worked hard to catch up to her classmates even so. She is always willing to help around the house, help with her siblings and help her mom. She makes life better for everyone around her.
• Jakiem Walden, grade 9, Albany High School. Why chosen: Walden is described as an intelligent, funny, good friend to his classmates and he is very respectful of his teachers. He has a natural ability to bring people together. Even in a virtual world, he is the first person to greet someone he just met and asks to be their friend. He attends office hours, helps with tutoring, and makes sure everyone is interacting and communicating during online classes.
• Devin Wheeler, grade 6, William S. Hackett Middle School. Why chosen: He is intelligent, patient, kind and respectful. A fantastic role model for his peers, he never singles out anyone for mistakes, instead rephrasing something as a teachable moment. He has been a constant positive influence in class.
• Abigail Williams, grade 12, Albany High School. Why nominate: She continues to excel in school despite having lost a family member recently. She also is a great help around the house. She has plans for her education and wants to pursue a career in designing video games. She wants to travel and always includes her family in her dreams, aspirations and goals.

Know a middle- or high-school student worthy of recognition? Nominate them here.

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