Award recipient Gabriel Escobar with his family, UM-NSU CARD’s Lori Wise, Coconut Creek Police Department officers, and Monarch Principal James Cecil {Coconut Creek Police Department Facebook}
By Bryan Boggiano
The Coconut Creek Police Department honored six people who stepped up and helped others at their Jan. 25 Do The Right Thing Awards.
According to Scott Leamon, public safety information officer, the department recognizes five students and one teacher in the city each month.
“[The Do The Right Thing Awards] recognizes the best of the best when it comes to kids and teachers in Coconut Creek,” he said.
To receive the honor, a student or teacher must either be affiliated with a school in the city, live in the city, or have some other connection to Coconut Creek.
Leamon stated, for example, if a student goes to Pompano Beach High School but either volunteers or goes to church in the city, they are eligible for the award.
January 2023 Do The Right Thing Awards recipients:
Gabriel Escobar
Escobar was nominated by State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky and Lori Wise, coordinator of clinical and educational services at the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD).
After graduating from Coconut Creek High School in 2022, he entered a work-study program at Monarch High School, according to Do The Right Thing documents.
This led to an internship at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Sunrise.
Escobar and his mother, Juliana, also do advocacy work for the UM-NSU CARD, and in Oct. 2022, he addressed the city commission during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
On the nomination form, Wise wrote, “He is one of the most persistent, hard-working, and kind people [I know].”
Escobar with his family, Lori Wise, Coconut Creek Police Department officers, and Monarch Principal James Cecil {Coconut Creek Police}
Lennox Ballah
Ballah is a fifth-grade student at Coconut Creek Elementary School. Lindsay Mednick, Ballah’s teacher, nominated him.
Lennox had a birthday party in class, and he decided to give cupcakes to his classmates to celebrate. However, one of his classmates and longtime friends was allergic to some ingredients.
With that in mind, he brought additional treats to make his friend feel included.
“On a day that many individuals only think of themselves, Lennox thought about how to include everyone,” Mednick wrote on the nomination form.
Ballah accepting his award surrounded by family, friends, and Coconut Creek Elementary School Principal Bree Miron {Coconut Creek Police}
Isabella Boyce
Boyce is a fourth-grade student at Winston Park Elementary School, which Officer George Jarboe nominated.
Every year, the police department notes Boyce and her father volunteer with Coastal Community Church to collect and distribute food and toy donations for families in need for the holidays.
Her mother notes Boyce also collects donations for On Dry Land Outreach, a Deerfield Beach food pantry.
“She is truly a great member of our community who deserves recognition for her hard work and values,” Jarboe wrote on the nomination form.
Boyce is surrounded by her friends and family and Winston Park Assistant Principal Mark Andriesse while she accepts her Do The Right Thing Award {Coconut Creek Police}
Dominick Slezak
Slezak is a seventh-grade student at Lyons Creek Middle School. His mother, Melissa, nominated him.
When he was in his sixth-period and final class of the day, his teacher asked if anybody would help a girl in a wheelchair get to the front of the school so her mom could pick her up.
He volunteered to help that day and has been helping ever since.
Slezak helps others at home, including his grandmother and baby sister.
In the nomination form, Melissa Slezak wrote, “
“We are so proud of Dominick for being so caring and having such a big, kind heart and always thinking of others… and always looking for ways to help others.”
Slezak accepting his award surrounded by friends and family {Coconut Creek Police}
Chauncy Desir
Desir is a tenth-grade student at Coconut Creek High School. His teacher, Troy Grant, a former Do The Right Thing of Coconut Creek Teacher of the Month, nominated him.
One day at school, Desir found a brand-new iPhone 13 Max somebody had left in a bathroom.
He turned the phone over to school administrators, who then tracked down the phone’s owner and returned it to them.
Desir with his family and friends and Coconut Creek High School Principal Dr. Nicole Nearor as he is honored at the Do The Right Thing Awards {Coconut Creek Police}
Kim Cable
Cable is a second-grade teacher at Winston Park Elementary School. A 27-year educator, she has been at Winston Park for 19 years and was their 2022 teacher of the year. Kathleen Souza nominated her.
In the nomination form, Souza wrote she is impressed by Cable’s tenacity, effort, and work to constantly communicate with parents and guardians to help in any way she can.
“She takes time and makes an effort to get to know each student and their unique situations,” Souza wrote. “She deserves any and all recognition she can get.”
Cable is surrounded by family and Andriesse as she receives her award {Coconut Creek Police}
To apply for the award or to nominate somebody, applications are available on the police department’s website.
The next Do The Right Thing ceremony will take place on Feb. 23 at city hall, located at 4800 West Copans Road, starting at 5:30 p.m.
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