Samantha Pernick: Ramblewood Middle School
By C. Ron Allen
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Age: 13

School: Ramblewood Middle School

Grade: Eighth

Hometown: Coral Springs

Trait: Responsibility
Pernick volunteers at Temple Beth Chai's Hebrew school, where she helps children learn Hebrew for their bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah, and their prayers. She also tutors students and helps several teachers at Maplewood Elementary set up their classrooms.

Guidance counselor, Christina Zabko: "I have worked with Samantha for three years and ... when she walks into the office or in a classroom, she is just one of those people who everybody just loves. She has that way about her."

Samantha Pernick: "It makes me feel good to help others and give back to the community. I have had people in my life that have helped me and I want to give back to the community."


This is one in a series of stories on students who best exemplify the Broward County School District's eight character education traits -- cooperation, responsibility, citizenship, kindness, respect, honesty, self-control and tolerance -- and patriotism as part of all eight.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7917.