Four Palm Springs area students honored for 'Doing the Right Thing'

As kids, most of us were told, at one point or another, to "do the right thing." But for many, hard work and/or good deeds often went unnoticed, leading to discouragement and disappointment and possibly a loss of faith and inspiration.

But one local humanitarian and community leader is working to change that.

Founded by Terri Ketover, Do the Right Thing (DTRT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and rewarding school-age youths in the Coachella Valley who distinguish themselves with their positive behavior. The program ensures that young people are not only rewarded for “doing the right thing,” but also publicly recognized as role models for their peers.

Up to five kids are honored every month.

The latest award ceremony took place Dec. 20 at the Palm Springs Police Department, and the following four young people were honored for their hard work and good deeds: Cali Lee from Katherine Finchey Elementary School, Lucas Easter from James Workman Middle School, Monica Jimenez from Desert Mirage High School and Susana Reyes-Zendejas from Amistad High School.

A fifth student had been selected but was unable to attend due to illness.

Each student received a plaque, a $200 Visa gift card, a $100 McDonald’s gift card, a family pass to The Living Desert and a gift certificate to Ice Cream & Shop(pe). In addition, each will be featured in ads in The Desert Sun and on media sponsor KESQ's “Desert Chat” with Sandie Newton.

Addressing the enthusiastic crowd of students, educators, elected officials and local supporters, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said: "This is such an important program for our community, and here's why: The more we encourage our children to be civil and to help one another, the better off we are as a society.

"If we reward kids for doing the right thing, we can have an impact on public safety, and that's the whole idea behind this."

According to Ketover, DTRT's president and executive director, the program was inspired by a 1990 Miami Police Department awards ceremony where a teenager was recognized by the chief of police for turning in a loaded gun he found at his school. Ketover, a Miami resident at the time, witnessed the impact the positive recognition had on this teenager and decided to join forces with the Miami Police Department to develop an ongoing program to recognize more students for doing the right thing.

In 2022, Ketover established a Greater Palm Springs Chapter and began honoring local kids in April of last year.

"I'm overwhelmed for the kids," Ketover said at the Dec. 20 ceremony. "For them to see how many people care about them and what they're doing to make this community better and to make themselves better."

One needn't be a superhero to be recognized; these are ordinary kids who simply "do the right thing," whether it's turning in something that was lost, helping someone in need, helping to keep their school safe, performing acts of selfless service, volunteering time at charitable organizations, improving school grades or working to help improve the environment.

"Our mission is to enhance the self-esteem of kids who are doing the right thing," Ketover said, "to establish them as role models for their peers, to let them see that the community cares, that good kids are newsworthy and attention-worthy and to build a positive relationship with the police department."

Government officials in attendance included Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, Palm Springs Mayor pro-tem Ron deHarte, Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles and Palm Springs city councilmember Lisa Middleton.

Do the Right Thing sponsors include Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation, Spencer's Restaurant, Western Wind Foundation, The Manilow Fund, Lamar, News Channel 3, Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler, Irene W. & Guy L. Anderson Children's Foundation and Walter Clark Legal Group.

Nominate a student

Do you know a young person you think is a role model for his/her peers? The Greater Palm Springs Chapter of Do the Right Thing accepts up to 350 nominations each month from teachers, parents, police officers and other adults aged 18+ for school-age children who have done good deeds or exhibited positive behavior. The selection committee will select five students each month for special recognition.

To learn more about Do the Right Thing or to nominate a student, visit dotherightthingps.org.

As the philanthropy editor at The Desert Sun, Winston Gieseke writes about nonprofits, fundraising and locals who give back, like his beloved dog Ernie Banks, who volunteers weekly at the local cancer center. Reach him at winston.gieseke@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Four Palm Springs area students honored for 'Doing the Right Thing'