This morning the Commissioner of Police recognized the work of 23 young men and women from high schools across the country in the police's 'do the right thing program.' At a ceremony at Old Belize two high school students received scholarships to move on to tertiary level education while 4 others were recognized for the admirable contribution they make to society.
Ramona Garcia, Did The Right Thing
"Standing here today as a proud Belizean is not as easy as it may seem. But whenever God puts opportunities across our path, we must hold on tightly to them. I believe that all the students who participated in the 'Do the right thing Program,' have had their own difficult status in life. As the future generation of Belize, we should not give up but keep on striving. Remember, being poor is an inconvenience, but no excuse for failure."
That's the kind of ambition that propelled Ramona Garcia to the podium today as she accepted being the most shining example of Belizean youth under the police's 'Do The Right Thing Program.' Over the past year the Police Department conducted a selection process through which 23 youngsters from 31 high schools were selected for honors. The Commissioner of Police says they may not be directly responsible for the youth but they must engage them to ensure that their work is easier.
Gerald Westby, COMPOL
"The police must be proactive and not reactive and this is being proactive in trying to address of the root causes of crime as it were and to acknowledge and big up young people that are trying to do the right thing. Far too often when you see them on the news it is only when they are involved in violent crimes and we are saying there are a lot of young people who are turning around their lives and who can be exemplary and this is a way for the police to contribute its part. The more kids we can save, the less job we'll have out there in the future."
If we are to judge by the successes of this programme, especially in the case of Garcia who was awarded a two year scholarship to a tertiary level institution, then the program is already proven.
Ramona Garcia,
"I don't really know how to explain because there is so many words I could say right now but one word that I will use is it is exciting and I know that there are other youths out there who want opportunities like this and I am just very happy to be honored like this. I think I superceded everybody else because of the work that I do, especially in my village, and the type of life that I have."
Alfonso Noble,
What kind of work do you do and what kind of life do you have?
Ramona Garcia,
"I work at M&M Hardware, part time, I clean the office every evening after school and my life is a bit difficult but I still made my way through school."
Gerald Westby,
"I am more than excited, I am ecstatic to say the least, I was really impressed with the young lady from Independence high School. She was saying that poverty may be an inconvenience but it is not an excuse to commit crime and that was really touching. She really captured everything we are trying to do in this program, to try to acknowledge and reward people who are trying to do the right thing, especially young people."
Today's ceremony also honored 5 other young men and women who do exceptionally well at being role models for other youths.
