Police programme promotes good citizenship
We are not sure how “The Independent” will deal with the issue of crime, but today’s police story is less about catching criminals than it is about creating responsible citizens.
Jacqueline Godwin,
Meet seventeen year old Daniel Magana, a fourth form student of Nazarene High school. Today Magana was honoured not for is incredible talent on the drum, but for doing the right thing … That means young Daniel has managed to keep out of trouble despite the many challenges that confront youths in Belize.
Daniel Magana, Awardee, Do the Right Thing
?I felt proud of myself because I know that I could have done it and people encouraged me so I know I could have done it … I just did the right thing.?
The award is an initiative by the Police Department that seeks to motivate youths to live an exemplary life. A total of six students representing each district will be given the recognition, but by the end of the year only one of the young men and women will be chosen as the overall winner.
Supt. Yolanda Murray, Commander, Community Policing
?There are a great problem in Belize with many of our youths nationally and especially in Belize City here. And so we find that for them to do the right thing it means that it will take an effort on the parents, on the students and even on the teachers at this school.?
Commander of Community Policing, Superintendent of Police Yolanda Murray, says the each student will be judged on eight criteria.
Supt Yolanda Murray
?One is definitely a change around of behaviour, the academic achievement. Let?s just say that person was doing very low and that person has improved, any sports that that person is involved in, any community service that that person is involved in, anything that that person does to help with his own education or helping at home, helping the parents with chores at home.?
The lucky student will be awarded with a two-year scholarship from St. John?s College.
Dianne Lindo, Member, SJC Student Advisory Council
?The scholarship is from enrolment to associate degree because some students may take longer. The scholarship will cover tuition, fees, books, and other non-tangible support that the student needs to be successful in school.?
?First of all the scholarship is not a guarantee of placement. So the student has to apply and be accepted to the programme of his or her choice. Once the student is accepted, the student then has to maintain a two point five GPA. The student also needs to participate in community service and personal financial planning in order to maintain the scholarship.?
In the meantime, Magna is keeping his fingers crossed and offers this advice to his peers.
Daniel Magana
?Just try to do the right thing at all times and it?s always good to do the right thing and you need to know your education so that you can succeed in life and that will help you.?
Do the Right Thing was launched in 2005. That year the award went to Ramona Garcia, a graduate of Independence High School.
