Recognizing students for doing the right thing
MONROE On an uncharacteristically warm winter day signaling the 2012 Major League Baseball season was not far off, Christian Lopez - the Highland Mills native who captured the respect and admiration of New York Yankees fans last season by returning Derek Jeters 3,000th career hit baseball to him - came back to North Main Elementary School to help launch a recognition program school officials announced last fall would be established this year.
The four simple words visible on four separate posters signed by all North Main students on Feb. 23 epitomized what Lopez did last July 9 when he gave the ball back to Jeter with no interest in any financial gain. It was the same message he stressed to the kids when he made his first visit to North Main last October.
Do the right thing. Lopez and his parents Catherine and Raul Lopez of Highland Mills were guests of the school and spent about half the day on campus, spending time with students at lunch periods and visiting many of the classrooms.
Parents and teachers Students in Jennifer Deckers third-grade class were among the classes the Lopez family had an opportunity to visit.
Were so honored to have you visit us, Decker said, as she stopped her lesson while some students gasped in delight to see Lopez was really in their room. We want you to know that your deed was such an admirable and honorable thing. It is such a wonderful lesson and great reminder to all of us that we should live our lives by doing the right thing.
Decker quickly took advantage of the teachable moment opportunity by pointing out something more to her students.
We are also honored that Mr. and Mrs. Lopez are here, she said to her students. Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, your son is who he is because of the values you instilled in him. I know these are same values our students parents look to give to and expect from their children.
In preparation for the familys visit, students in each of the four grade levels were asked to sign a poster highlighting one of the words in the phrase, Do the right thing. During their lunch periods, Lopez also signed each of the posters, which are now permanently hung in the cafeteria as a reminder of the importance of those words, according to school officials.
A friendly stampede of student autograph seekers during the first lunch period required administrators to curtail autographs during subsequent lunches, but that didnt stop Lopez from reminding students that doing the right thing is an everyday thing.
I would do it again, Lopez said of his returning the ball to Jeter during the fifth-grade lunch period. It was the right thing to do. You all should always remember the importance of doing the right thing no matter what. Your parents and teachers want you to do the right thing, too. My parents are here today, and I wouldnt be who I am today if it werent for them.
The beauty of good things On that Thursday, there was one recipient selected from the second, third and fourth grades; and three from the fifth grade. Principal Matthew Kravatz announced the closely guarded names by grade level at their respective lunch periods.
Doing the right thing is a forever thing and is definitely a forever thing at North Main, Kravatz said during the fourth-grade lunch. What the selected student did is something you all can do. I look forward to recognizing more of you on a regular basis.
Kravatz and Lopez presented the six students with a Do the Right Thing certificate and a North Main I Did the Right Thing T-shirt.
These T-shirts are a rarity, Kravatz said during each lunch period. But more of you can be wearing these.
Students applauded the selection of their peers, with most looking stunned as their names were announced.
But none was more exuberant than third-grader Seth Lamboy of Chester, who jumped off his seat in sheer jubilation, high-fiving everyone as he made his way up to Lopez to shake his hand.
It was so surprising but I was hoping, Seth said afterward.
His next comment mirrored what Lopez talked to students about last fall, when he spoke of how his life changed for the positive because of his good deed: A new job with Modells; financial assistance with college loans; a diamond and sapphire World Series ring to call his own; and four Yankees Champion Suites luxury box seats and souvenirs for last season, among other accolades.
I had my fingers crossed, Seth added. If you do the right thing, look what can happen to you.
Watching the reaction of Seth and the winners was Lopezs mother Catherine, who noted she and her husband were thrilled to observe the festivities.
Im so proud of Christian and this, today, is surreal, she said. This is just an overwhelming beauty of good things in the world and the fact that my son and family is a part of it, it is just so beautiful.
By Nancy Kriz