The Do the Right Thing of Charlotte County recognition ceremony was held on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Punta Gorda Police Department. The following students were recognized:

Ella Extejt, Lemon Bay High School, Grade 12

Ella was honored for forming a women's empowerment group for all young ladies at Lemon Bay High School where they can come together to support each other. Ella lined up speakers and topics for conversations and was able to obtain sponsorships to support this group in volunteer projects to better our community.

Nathan Roberts, The Academy, Grade 9

Nathan was honored when he and another student found a credit card on a classroom floor and turned it in. The card belonged to a teacher who had lost it the day before.

Aubrie Schwartz, Myakka River Elementary, Grade 4            

Aubrie was honored for finding $10 inside a book that she wanted to check out from the library.  She showed honesty and led by example by turning in the money hoping it would be returned to the student who lost it.

Karlee Hettinger, Deep Creek Elementary, Grade 5

Karlee and another student were honored for finding a cell phone in the bathroom and turning it in.  This cell phone was not an ordinary cell phone. This cell phone monitored the blood sugar of a student who has diabetes. The nurse monitors this cell phone all day and makes sure that the student does not need sugar or insulin. However, when the phone is not near the student, the readings stop.

Isabella Vanikiotis, Deep Creek Elementary School, Grade 5

Isabella and another student were honored for finding a cell phone in the bathroom and turning it in.  This cell phone was not an ordinary cell phone. This cell phone monitored the blood sugar of a student who has diabetes. The nurse monitors this cell phone all day and makes sure that the student does not need sugar or insulin. However, when the phone is not near the student, the readings stop.