“Every now and then a teacher is blessed to have a student who just makes the day a little brighter. With all that needs to be done, it is nice to have someone who exemplifies what a good neighbor should be — everyday.
“This child is genuinely helpful and never asks for a reward for being so. One classmate said: ‘He always does his work neatly, is a good friend … and he doesn’t talk behind people’s backs!’
“This student makes teaching a pleasure and is an example for his classmates,” said Mrs. Whitestone, 5th grade teacher at Douglas MacArthur School, as she awarded the Taylor Run Citizen’s Association Good Neighbor Award to Manuel Jesus Benites.
BENITES LOVES SPORTS
Manuel, who lives on East Taylor Run Parkway with parents Shari and Jesus and younger sister Allegra, a 4th grader at MacArthur, plays soccer on a travel soccer team, runs, swims, and plays basketball. He also plays drums in a band.
His father is an electrician and his mother is an educator.
TRCA gives the award, accompanied by a $100 savings bond and recognition on a plaque that is displayed at the school, to encourage and recognize those qualities which make people good neighbors.
AFRICAN TRAVELERS RETURN
Marilee Cunningham of Carlisle Drive is pleased to be entertaining her daughter Amy and son-in-law Robert Bradshaw and their five children. Amy and Robert are on home leave from Kampala, Uganda where Amy works for USAID as an HIV-AIDs advisor to implement the Emergency Relief Plan for AIDs. Robert graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria and also works for USAID in Uganda. Their oldest daughter, Avery, will attend the University of North Carolina this fall. Marilyn will be returning to Cardiff, Wales, where she is a high school senior at United World Atlantic College. This school is one of seven worldwide started by Nelson Mandela to further international understanding in youth. Justin hopes to head to Episcopal next year.
The younger daughters, Maggie and Emma, enjoyed playing with the Marr girls. Maggie also had fun playing with O’Malley, the Marr’s cat.
<1b>— Lois Kelso Hunt