Sanorha John-Vilbrun: Nob Hill Elementary
By C. Ron Allen
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Age: 6

School: Nob Hill Elementary

Grade: Kindergarten

Hometown: Sunrise

Trait: Citizenship
Without being asked, Sanorha John-Vilbrun helps one of her classmates, who has cerebral palsy and uses a walker to move about the classroom, pack and unpack her backpack and brings materials to her. Once she completes her own work, Sanorha helps another student who has developmental delays and requires help to complete assignments, herteacher said. She holds his hand while walking in the hallways and gently reminds him to walk quietly and remain in the line. Often, Sanorha will give up her own "free-choice center time" to help classmates who are struggling to learn letter names, sounds and numbers. She volunteers to be paired with students who are unable to complete tasks independently.

Teacher, Laura Horowitz: "In my 18 years of teaching, I have never seen a child who demonstrates the compassion, emotional maturity, and kindness that Sanorha does consistently in my classroom. She unselfishly helps classmates who have special needs, showing them love, acceptance and respect."

Parent, Keley Vilbrun: "I feel so proud of my daughter ... because she is such an amazing child and now the whole world can know."

Sanorha John-Vilbrun:"It makes me feel good because I like helping people. Helping kids is good to me."

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.