Good turn rewarded

The four Reynold Weekes Primary School students who captured national attention for their good deed have been rewarded.

Nathan Leon Blackman, his twin sister Natalia Leon Blackman, their cousin Jaquon Blackman, and friend Jerome Forde, were presented with certificates of merit from the school, and also trophies and certificates from Reginald Jones, the man who benefited from the good deed.

The students were in front of the Four Roads, St Philip school on Tuesday, when they found Jones’ lost wallet. They handed over the wallet, which contained $140 and other personal belongings, to snack vendor Margaret Payne, who then ensured the property was returned to its owner.

The students’ beaming parents were present at the special ceremony, which took place at the school this morning.

It was a particularly proud moment for Jaquon’s mother Katrina Blackman who shed tears of joy as she watched her son collect his reward. Blackman told Barbados TODAY she always speaks to her son about doing what is right.

“I always tell him that life is not always easy, but you always got to give everything your best. He is a young athlete coming up, and sometimes he might not always think that he can do something. I remember last term he said to me he can’t come first in class and I said ‘Quon, no, you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you’.

“You know he came first in class. I find that once I push him, he thinks positive and then he starts then to push. I tell him do good and good shall always follow you. I am proud of the good deed he did,” Blackman said.

Jerome was the first person to spot the wallet that evening. His mother Myrtle Clarke said he was satisfied that Jerome knew her well enough to know that he could not have stepped foot in her house with somebody’s else property in his hand.

“It all depends on the training. He knows that he couldn’t bring it home so he had to do what is right. Give it to the principal or somebody that is in authority. I told him that as long as he finds things that don’t belong to him, he can’t bring them at me,” Clarke said.

District Education Officer with the Ministry of Education, Hyacinth Griffith, said she was pleased to highlight the positive behaviour exhibited by the students who deserve the recognition.

“We thank God for them for they have truly portrayed this school’s motto We Strive for the Best. To the principal and staff you are doing an awesome job at this school.

“You have instilled good job values, attitudes and social emotional skills in these students. Virtues such as honesty, kindness and love have been exhibited by these students. To the parents, a job well done. They could not have made
those decisions unless they were trained from at home, and was followed up at the school,” Griffith said.

The students were all proud of the gifts and words of encouragement they received.

“I feel really good about today,” Jaquon said.