Blades Elementary fifth-graders Grace Fedorchak and Rachel Pleimann were celebrated for their kindness by the Do The Right Thing Program of Greater St. Louis at its recognition ceremony today, May 16, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Ill.

Grace and Rachel were nominated by Blades Elementary physical education teacher Kevin Green for taking the time to help a kindergartener in their character education group who had a tendency of being disruptive.

Every time the group met, Grace and Rachel helped the kindergartener so he would pay attention and not interrupt the lesson, according to Green. The pair was always kind to him and made it possible for the class to be productive, and they never had to be asked to help with the student.

“Both girls automatically took it upon themselves to help each time we gathered,” Green stated in a district news release. “Their acts of kindness and caring ways made a huge difference for the young boy and also for the other students involved. They were always kind to the young student who needed attention. They are excellent role models.”

Grace and Rachel were honored at the Do The Right Thing Program’s recognition ceremony by KMOV news anchor Robin Smith, St. Louis County Police Lt. Col. Kenneth Gregory, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Capt. Steve Miller and Troy, Ill., Police Chief Robert Rizzi, representing the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs’ Association.

The Do The Right Thing Program is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with area law enforcement agencies, schools, media and businesses to recognize and promote the positive social behaviors of school-aged youth in the region. For more information, visit

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