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He Did The Right Thing
posted (January 30, 2018)
On Monday's, the police dominate the news for their tales of murder and mayhem, crime and punishment. It's usually very depressing stuff, but tonight is different.

It's about the police program called "Do the Raitt thing". The programs aim is to get school aged youths on the right path by recognizing them for their work. Today a 4th former of Excelsior was honoured for his positive change in the right direction. Sahar Vasquez has more:

Sahar Vasquez reporting
Jaheel Lamb used to be a difficult student that was well known in his school for causing an uproar of trouble inside and outside of the classroom. He was on a doomed path until he changed his life around.

He said goodbye to the temptations that once lured him in the wrong direction and willed himself to become not just a better student but a better person to those around him.

According to his principal and Corporal Petillo, it was a team effort on all parts to get Jaheel to where he is now.

Wilfredo Petillo, Corporal of Police/Officer in Charge of Community Policing for the Precinct 1 Area
"It is not just the police. It is the school, the parents, and likewise the community as well that impacted him."

Dawn Waters, Principal
"I have no issues with him and so the program has really helped in our school motivating them to do the right thing. SInce Jaheel was accepted we have absolutely no issues with him. He is a role model for the other students."

The 18-year-old got the recognition he deserved today and his peers now have a new role model to look up to.

Dawn Waters, Principal
"It was a conscious decision that Jaheel made to change coming from the Jane Usher area it was easy for him to be a part of those activities in that area but Jaheel made the conscious decision to change. He used to be very disruptive very disrespectful especially when he was being corrected by adults. He sat and made the decision to change with the different mediation we had available at the school at that time."

Lamb is elated that he is now on the right path. He sees a bright future ahead but he says it was not an easy feat to get to where he is now. He had to say goodbye to some of the people he was closest to.

Jaheel Lamb, 4th Former
"I had to focus on my school work. I had to cut off some of my friends who lead me astray and study hard."

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"How was that difficult? Did it take long?"

Jaheel Lamb, 4th Former
"It was difficult because I lost people who I really like..."

Jaheel Lamb, 4th Former
"I did a lot of unnecessary things. I made a choice to behave badly so I was tired of seeing myself like that."

"My parents and my teachers said they saw potential in me so I was motivated to the right thing and stay on the righteous path with my school work."

And Jaheel has some advice for teens that are on the same bad path he once travelled.

Jaheel Lamb, 4th Former
"Don't make anyone lead you astray. Focus on your school work and try and improve your grades. Nobody will try for you unless you try for yourself."

Lamb is one of ten contestants that has been selected nationally for the program.

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