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Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby will present the first Commissioner's Award today to Haneef Lemoth of Ladyville Technical High School. The award is a part of the Commissioner's new 'Do the Right Thing' program that looks for young people who exhibit outstanding conduct and academic success, and who contributes positively to their communities. The program is intended to motivate young people toward a positive path in life by recognizing their efforts and achievements. Each month, one student will be selected from every high school in every district and will be honoured with a certificate, tee shirt and a letter personally signed by the Commissioner of Police. At the end of the school year, a selection board will be formed at Police Headquarters in Belmopan to choose one top student who will receive special honours and gifts including a special trip. The Commissioner says he believes that the program will demonstrate that good kids are also newsworthy and he hopes th!
at the program will foster positive relations between the police and the youths of our community. The Commissioner extends congratulations to Haneef Lemoth and urges all other youths to 'do the right thing'. This Wednesday Sasha Hernandez of Canaan High School will receive her honours. The ceremonies are scheduled for eight o'clock this morning and Wednesday morning.

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The Auxillou Beach Suites has pledged a donation of a two night stay to the prize kitty for this very worthwhile project. If you would like to donate a gift, please e-mail me at [email protected] and I will forward your pledge to the Commissioner of Police, or you can e-mail the G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer at [email protected]

Please help reward a great kid today!

Thanks and cheers,
Wendy Auxillou
Auxillou Beach Suites www.auxilloubeachsuites.com
Congratulations to Haneef Lemoth, whose mother, Nurse Felipa Apolonio, was the local nurse on Caye Caulker for many years.

Thanks and cheers,
Wendy
www.7newsbelize.com
Haneef Is Doing The Right Thing


Quite often we see young men on this news cast but, sadly, more times than not, it's because they're being carted away to jail, accused of a crime. Well, the Commissioner of Police is now trying to use his high office to shine the media's bright lights on some young people who are not in trouble. It's called the 'Do the Right Thing Program' where every month, the Police Department will recognize young men and women who are exemplary in conduct, deeds and potential. Today the first young man was recognized. He is Haneef Lemoth from Ladyville Technical High School and more than just exemplary, he has a compelling story.

Jules Vasquez Reporting,
When we first introduced you to Haneef Lemoth he was the victim of an injustice: charged with assaulting a police officer but he said it was the other way around:

Haneef Lemoth,
[September 2005] "He grabbed me by my throat and slammed me into my friend's fence� they told me that I am crya crya and that I am a punk so they will charge me for assaulting a police officer."

It was an encounter that left him facing criminal charges and which taught him a sobering lesson

Haneef Lemoth,
[September 2005] "I know how the police do it to anybody who is from the ghetto. They make me feel like I have to live at King's Park or somewhere like that for them to treat me like I'm a citizen. But since I am a youth from the southside it looks like they don't care."

But today the police proved they do care. No less than the Officer Ccommanding Eastern Division, third in charge of the Department Crispin Jeffries, acting on behalf of the Commissioner of Police declared Haneef the first winner of the Commissioner's 'Do the right thing Award.' Haneef received a letter from the Commissioner, a t-shirt and a certificate. For Haneef who beat the frivolous charge in court and has forgiven the police, it's one more indicator that he's living right.

Haneef Lemoth,
"Previously the police assaulted me and now the police are actually giving me a crown so to me its very enjoyous."

Jules Vasquez,
Have you made a transformation in your own life?

Haneef Lemoth,
"Yes sir a major transformation sir. I was attending ACC previously and I got expelled but you know once somebody gets expelled from an institution, it must be for poor conduct so really my whole level and conduct towards school has changed."

And now Haneef wants to hold his life up as an example to his peers:

Haneef Lemoth,
"One of the major problems that youths are faced with is peer pressure so the only way for me to move away from that is to leave my past friends unless they have a way to contribute to me positively. You could say I have fallen two times in my life because two high schools have expelled me and now I am at Ladyville Technical High School and I am excelling so it doesn't matter how many times you have fall, as long as you rise."

For his principal Dianne Westby who nominated him for the award, it's a much needed encouragement:

Dianne Westby, Principal - LTHS
"Usually it's only the bad people that were recognized and that is why they have the 'do the right thing' program and specifically for high school students because this will definitely help. You will still have peer pressure of course eso people will still want to run with the bad boys because that's kind of like the 'in thing' where young people are concerned but I am sure that Haneef is a good example, a good role model, and therefore a lot of our students and young people on a whole would want to be like him."

And the principal says that as Haneef's star rises so does theirs.

Dianne Westby,
"We have a new motto we operate by in terms of Ladyville Technical is a school of choice and we are working to make our school one of choice where people would want to come to us. So this is definitely a plus in that area."

At the end of the school year, the police will form a selection board to select one top student who will receive special honors and gifts including a special trip.



[This message has been edited by Auxillou Beach Suites (edited 03-14-2006).]
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