'Do the Right Thing' winners: December, January, February

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, City School District of Albany students continue to lead, shine and excel, and several were rewarded for their efforts Wednesday from Do the Right Thing.

“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.

Students who received top honors for December, January and February were:

B’unique Anderson, senior, Albany High School. Why nominated: A very intelligent young woman, she also is a valued player on Albany High’s winning varsity basketball team. She is a very caring, respectful and dedicated person who always has a smile on her face to cheer others up.

Robert Castillo, eighth grade, Albany International Center. Why nominated: A wonderful student, he always tries to do his best work in class. He is kind and tries to help other students that he notices may need help with work, or who just may need a friend. He is a great role model for his peers at AIC.

Michael DePerna, sixth grade, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School. Why nominated: A talented artist, he is very creative and loves making art. He is kind and respectful to everyone he meets and always tries to help when he can. He is also an excellent student and takes on extra credit projects when he can.

Joshua Green, sixth grade, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School. Why nominated: An excellent student, he also always strives to help others. He saved his mother’s life when she had an allergic food reaction. He also ran in the street to save a toddler from being hit by a car. He is an amazing young man.

Henry Hypnarowski, eighth grade, William S. Hackett Middle School. Why nominated: A great role model for his peers, he excels academically and in sports. He was team capital of the Modified 9 soccer team. He’s also a Boy Scout planning an Eagle Scout project to benefit the South End Children’s Café. He also participates in many other community service projects.

Amani Mack, freshman, Albany High School. Why nominated. A kind and compassionate person, he works hard at school, is a good friend to many and helps his family. He does all with a great deal of respect for everyone he encounters. He volunteers nearly every day after school for a local nonprofit and hopes to pursue a career in where he has the opportunity to help others. He is a true role model.

Ashley Martin, junior, Albany High School. Why nominated: A student that always does the right thing, she always goes above and beyond to help her friends and her classmates. She maintains a high academic average, participates in advanced orchestra, dances with the Albany Berkshire Ballet and works part-time. Despite losing her father in 2018, she continues to be positive, loving and kind.

Kevin McLeod, junior, Albany High School. Why nominated: He is an outstanding student who challenges himself and excels academically, achieving honor roll every semester. He is an active member of several after-school clubs including Robotics and Model UN and athletic teams including cross country, swimming and tennis. He also plays in Wind Ensemble and the Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and is a volunteer tutor who regularly helps his elderly neighbors.

Tonema Mitra, senior, Albany High School. Why nominated: A conscientious and active member of the school community, she demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and has a positive outlook. She is a kind person and deserving of this award.

Christopher “CJ” Motta Jr., sixth grade, William S. Hackett Middle School. Why nominated: A virtual student because of his cystic fibrosis, his attitude, attendance and grades have improved greatly in the past year. He fundraises for cystic fibrosis research, helps his family and spreads cheer through his neighborhood. He meets his health challenges head on, and his smile lights up the darkest days.

Devin Myrick, junior, Tony Clement Center for Education. Why nominated: A courteous and respectful young man, he is widely respected among his peers without ever feeling the need to impress them by goofing off or acting tough against adults. He makes a point to wish you a good day, compliment you, or to ask what's wrong if you are looking stressed. He is admired by his peers and faculty alike.

Raymond Parsons-Pulliam, sixth grade, North Albany Middle School. Why nominated: He is a smart and kindhearted student who goes out of his way to help others by uplifting them with kind words or bringing them food at school.

Kemar Pulliam-Watson, eighth grade, North Albany Middle School. Why nominated: He shows up to school every day with a positive attitude. He is respectful and friendly and is always the first to say hello. He works extremely hard in his classes and earns good grades across the board. He is always willing to help a teacher or a peer, he will volunteer to do any task and always does so with a smile.

Majestic Riggins, eighth grade, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School. Why nominated: An honor student, she is a kind, charming, intelligent young who does her best to thrive and be a leader at home, church and in her community. She hopes to become a doctor some day.

Tia Romano-Holmes, eighth grade, William Hackett Middle School. Why nominated: A very resilient young women, she comes to school each day with a good attitude despite challenges she and her family continue to face since their home burned to the ground in 2020. Her positive attitude and caring demeanor are embraced by her peers and teachers alike, and she is always willing to help others.

Ya'ir Sasson, senior, Albany High School. Why nominated: Goal-oriented and motivated, they maintain an average above an 85, challenge themself by taking AP classes and accelerated classes, encourage peers to turn in assignments on time, never turn in assignments late, play in the wind ensemble and are a member of the varsity swim team.

Rihanna Scott, eighth grade, North Albany Middle School. Why nominated: An honor roll student, obedience and respect are characteristics she exhibits every day at home and in school. She is great help to her family, whether doing house chores or babysitting her toddler sister.

Natasa Siegkani, sophomore, Albany High School. Why nominated: This scholar does not let any distraction affect her. She completes all work in a timely manner and continues to participate enthusiastically even if she is not sure of the answer. Her hard work and dedication is commendable.

Akira Snype, seventh grade, North Albany Middle School. Why nominated: A beautiful, sweet, smart and talented young woman with a big heart, she helps others and is the biggest help to her family. She always strives to do her best and has shown that academically she can and will achieve.

Yandel Leon Valdez, eighth grade, Albany International Center. Why nominated: Although still learning English, he always makes it his business to help ALL students whenever and however he can. He understands that helping students involves modeling and teaching, and not doing their work for them. He would make a great future teacher or leader.

Robert White Jr., senior, Albany High School. Why nominated: An outstanding student and athlete, he is smart, kind, caring, always willing to help his peers and teachers, selfless and looks out for others. He is truly an example of doing the right thing.

Kennedy Williams, sixth grade, William S. Hackett Middle School. Why nominated: A sweet and humble young woman, she recently moved from North Carolina and become a valued member of the Hackett community. She is kind to her peers and staff and participates in after-school cooking and fitness classes.

MaiRon Wynn, sophomore, Tony Clement Center for Education. Why nominated: He is a wonderful example of dedication and determination. He also is motivated to do well academically and shows respect for the learning environment.

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

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