7 News Belize

Deisy Avila is Doing the Right Thing
posted (November 10, 2009)

The police’s”Do The Right Thing Programme” – we used to bring you monthly stories about it. But those stories have died off. And guess why, because no one has been submitting names of kids who are doing the right things. That can only mean two things, either no one’s doing the right thing, or the schools have lost interest in the programme. We have to conclude it’s the latter because to even contemplate the firmer is just too depressing. So, we welcomed the rejuvenation of the program today with the naming of a young lady who is an exemplar to her peers. Jacqueline Godwin found out more.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
What you are looking at is not a young teenaged student in trouble with the law quite the contrary, fifteen year old Deisy Avila, a fourth form student of Nazarene High School has been recognized for doing the right thing. It is quite an accomplishment for a young lady who came from very humble beginnings that could have easily led her astray like so many of her peers who have a difficult time staying out trouble but Deisy Avila did not give in to the temptations. She stayed the course and excelled in school.

Samuel Sooknandan, Principal - Nazarene High School
“Well Deisy’s family is of very low social economic status. In other words they would be considered poor parents and despite the situation that she is from, she is making the best of that situation. As a matter of fact Deisy placed first in class in first form, second in second form, first in third form, and is a likely candidate to be among the top three students in the graduating class of 2010.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“She is definitely a role model.”

Samuel Sooknandan,
“She is definitely a role model; she is well behaved, well mannered, well disciplined, she wears her uniform, dresses properly to school, and all those are factors so she’s a tremendous role model to our student body.”

But as the student body at Nazarene High celebrates the accomplishment of one of their own there is some concern and that is that from among the thousands of Belize City high school students Deisy Avila’s name was the only one submitted for consideration. Sgt. Dianne Williams who is in charge of Community Policing in Belize City believes it may be the result of a lack of interest on behalf of secondary schools.

Sgt. Dianne Williams, Commander – Community Policing Belize City
“We visited all the high schools here urging the principals to get on board because this program is beneficial to some of these students. At the end of the school year there is a possibility of winning a scholarship. So this year we had our first nomination from Nazarene High School for the month of October and I am hoping that for the rest of the school year that we will continue to get participation from the high schools here in Belize City.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“Because while I am so happy for Deisy, she had no competition. She was the only name submitted.”

Sgt. Dianne Williams,
“Yes. That is sad but at least it has opened the doors for other high school principals to see that you know what, if I don’t make a selection from my students then my school and my students will not get the opportunity to get some of these big awards at the end of the school year. So I hope it encourages them because it is very important. That will also give these young people motivation that the school is seeing them as somebody doing the right thing. So we need the high schools to participate.”

For Desiy Avila it was her strong faith that made it possible for her to meet all the requirements.

Deisy Avila, Winner - Do the Right Thing
“Inspire me to do the right thing, not to do the bad thing like many youths are doing today so I prefer to stay free from crime and violence.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“You know there is peer pressure out there which brings on a lot of temptation. What advice you have for your peers?”

Deisy Avila,
“Well the advice I have for my peers is to stay focused in school, do constructive exercises and stay away from crime and the violence.”

Deisy Avila says if she managed to inspire just one person she is happy.

Jacqueline Godwin,
“What is the next step here for Deisy?”

Deisy Avila,
“Well I will still continue to do the right thing here. I won’t put myself in a crime or a violence where I will end up dead or something so I will prefer to do the right thing. The work I have done is to encourage students, other students to do the right thing; stay away from crime and talk to them about the violence and the crime, just to stay focused.”

This Nazarene High School student is now a finalist in the national competition. She will compete later this year in the national competition for a scholarship, computer and money. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for Channel 7.

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