Kiwanis Terrific Kids

By Coastal Breeze News Staff

On October 22, the Kiwanis Club of Marco Island honored five fifth-grade children from Manatee Elementary School and Tommie Barfield Elementary School with the Terrific Kids award.

October’s Terrific Kids are: Avè Dussias, Hope Heidreich, Woodjenley Nicolas, Alejandra Ramos and Olivia Saunders. Avè and Hope attend Tommie Barfield. Woodjenley, Alejandra and Olivia attend Manatee.

The Terrific Kids program is a student recognition program that promotes character development and self-esteem. Outstanding students are nominated by their teachers. Every month the Terrific Kids and their family

join the Kiwanians for breakfast where they are recognized for their achievements. After each child answers questions and addresses the group, he/she is given a Terrific Kids T-shirt and a framed award certificate.

Kiwanian Kathleen Reynolds organized and led the morning program. Kathleen asked each child a number of questions, including who are their role models, the best thing about their class, teacher and community, and what they want to do for a career when they grow up. Some of the kid’s future goals included teacher, doctor

and scientist.

The children expressed appreciation for their parents and teachers. Woodjenley told us that the person he loves and admires is his mother, and Hope thanked her teachers and her mom and dad. The children had family present to cheer them on.

Listening to the students, a unifying trait of kindness emerged from their words. Avè told us wisely that, “If everybody would help somebody, this world would be a better place.”

Comments from the kid’s teachers confirmed their special kindness. Alejandra’s teacher said, “Our class is stronger

because of Alejandra’s presence in it,” while Olivia’s teacher described the fifth-grader as being “kind to all of her classmates.”

The Terrific Kids program provides elementary school teachers with a meaningful tool to reward students with special achievements.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Marco Island, and the Terrific Kids program, go to their website at www.kiwanisclubofmarcoisland.org. The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 AM at Stonewalls, 551 S. Collier Boulevard, Marco Island. The cost is $12 and includes a delicious, and always varied, breakfast buffet.