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Five Iroquois Middle School students received the Rochester Police Department's "Do The Right Thing Award" on Thursday, Feb. 26 for their amazing work raising money for four different cancer associations!

Sophia, Mya, Londyn, Raquel and Jonas were nominated by their teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Gottfried, for their efforts during Gottfried’s annual Stand-Up Project in 2024-25. The Project's purpose is to recognize the power of the student voice, empower students to discover their passion, encourage them to use their voice and fight for change. Last year, these five students stood up to cancer; most had been personally impacted by the disease.

First, students interviewed representatives from the Irondequoit Town Board, 13Thirty Cancer Connect, and the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. The interviews sparked the group to do a fundraiser. After much work organizing, selling tickets, promoting the event and recruiting the support of their families and friends, the 1st Annual Flapjack Fundraiser was held at Applebee's in Irondequoit last June.

It raised $2,568, so our crew donated $642 to each of four different associations, even going so far as to personally deliver checks to two of the associations. Our district has immense pride for the work done each year via the Stand-Up Project by Mrs. Gottfried and her students. Congratulations Sophia, Mya, Londyn, Raquel and Jonas! Your hard work and incredible teamwork is a great example for all!

The organizations who benefitted were:

• Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester

• 13Thirty Cancer Connect

• CURE Childhood Cancer Association

• The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

Our terrific fivesome will be recognized in the coming weeks by WHEC-TV, Channel 10 with other Do The Right Thing Award winners!