Caye Caulker’s Ocean Academy held a ceremony on Tuesday to honor outstanding students in their institution who have been recognized for their academic accomplishments and for their contribution to the safety of the island. Two outstanding Ocean Academy students were honored to win the community policing Do the Right Thing Award. Mercedes Requena (November) is a top student who is passionate about marine biology, conservation work, and Environmental Club and Jaison Hernandez (January) is a young man who has overcome difficult circumstances (tropical storm destruction of his home, missing a year of schooling, health challenges) and pursued his educational goals with grace, determination and strength of character. ‘Do The Right Thing’ aims at encouraging youths by reinforcing socially desirable behavior among our young people. It will also serve as a means of demonstrating that “good kids” are newsworthy and will go a long way in fostering a positive relation between the Belize Police Department, youths and the community. This is an exceptional program that specifically targets in-school youths that have made a positive turn around in their lives and are role models to the other youths around them.
During the ceremony, semester one honor roll students were also honored, along with the newly formed volunteering Interact Club. It was a day of applauding great achievements with Mercedes Requena winning yet another award, this one for National Youth Award for Environmentalism.
Ocean Academy joined parents, media representatives, Board of Governors, education officers in congratulating the outstanding students.