Character Counts! These Tulare County students excel at respect

Student: Amourah Lara

Grade: 7

School: Washington Intermediate School, Dinuba

Pillar: Respect

Comment:

Nominator Tina Faulkner says, “Amourah exemplifies respect by consistently showing consideration and regard for others. She always listens attentively when teachers or classmates speak, making eye contact and nodding to show understanding. Amourah respects the classroom environment and school rules. She takes care of her own belongings and is mindful of shared spaces, making sure to clean up after herself and tidy the common areas.

She regularly uses polite language, such as ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘excuse me.’ She addresses others with kindness, whether she is speaking to peers, teachers, or school staff. Overall, Amourah’s respectful demeanor fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere in the classroom, setting a strong example for her peers.”

Student Name: Oliver Morales

Grade: 2

School: Goshen Elementary School

Pillar: Respect

Comment:

Nominator Sarah Van Dermyden says, “Oliver is respectful in and out of the classroom. He’s always following all school rules. He is in a classroom with students who need frequent redirection. Oliver is an advanced student, so he is often waiting for his classmates to get their behavior under control. Rather than be frustrated or annoyed, he continues to model the type of behavior they need to have, showing patience and understanding. Not only does he respect the teacher and his own learning, he respects his fellow classmates by showing understanding. He also shows respect for his personal belongings by keeping them well organized, making sure he doesn’t leave anything behind. Oliver returns library books on time and never leaves his jacket at school. He shows respect by being kind to everyone, following the rules, and being ready to learn.”

Student: Urijah Ortega

Grade: Transitional Kindergarten

School: Mission Valley Elementary School

Pillar: Respect

Comment:

Nominator Korbin Quinn says, “From the first day Urijah walked through my room, he has shown all Pillars of Character! He is so respectful to his peers and teachers that are coming to work with our class throughout the day. He uses words like ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and “may I’ as a part of his everyday language. He is such a stand-up gentleman that I can count on him to be a leader in the classroom, on the playground, and other areas around campus. Urijah completes his work on time and then works well with all peers, making them feel comfortable, safe, and heard. I love that he can get along with many personalities and bring out the best in those he works with.”

Student: Peter Portillo

Grade: 11

School: Mission Oak High School, Tulare

Pillar: Respect

Comment:

Nominators Noreen Cabrera and Valerie Martinez say, “One day, Peter came into the library with one of our foreign exchange students and proceeded to help him with the process of checking out a library book. The reason this is so unique is because this was our new students’ first day of school so they would have just met each other this morning. When I said to Peter that it was so nice of him to help, he said it was fun helping others and he enjoyed it. He did this during his lunchtime, which is even more amazing. Peter also used his bilingual skills to communicate and help our new student navigate our checkout system. What a great example of the Pillar of Respect. We are so lucky to have Peter as our student.  Great job, Peter!”

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Character Counts! These Tulare County students excel at respect