Kiwanis Welcomes Terrific Kids

The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island recently honored four fifth grade students from Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) as Terrific Kids. This student recognition initiative, a signature program of Kiwanis International, promotes character development, self-esteem, leadership skills and perseverance. Terrific is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, inclusive, friendly, inquisitive, and capable. The students and their families were treated to a breakfast buffet of delicious empanadas and “pastries with personality” at Ori’s Bakery & Café, 945 N, Collier Blvd., Marco Island. TBE Principal Alyssa Ledbetter was in attendance, displaying her pride and support of these remarkable students. 

Interviewed by Kiwanis member Doreen Herriman, the students shared their stories of family life, hobbies, and their hopes and dreams for the future. At a time when the world can often seem quite bleak, these young students are shining examples of the goodness that will always prevail. 

Shakira Morales enjoys watching movies with her family, reading, making posters, playing soccer, and writing stories. If she could have one superpower, she would like to be able to fly with a mission to save people. Her teacher describes her as kind and helpful, always welcoming others into her circle. Shakira dreams of visiting Paris someday with the opportunity to meet new people. She would like to become a nurse so she can help people and pets. 

Lana Glutting is described by her teacher as a standout leader who never hesitates to go the extra mile. Lana would love to visit Dubai to see the magnificent skyline, and New York to behold the One World Trade Center. It is no wonder that Lana would like to become an entrepreneur architect. She enjoys playing the piano for her parents, creating choreographies, and playing chess. If she could have a superpower, it would be shapeshifting, so she could become anything she wanted to be. In her words, she would like to be “fast as an eagle, royal as a lion, stealthy as a tiger, and helpful as a bee.”  

Rocco Lepore is all about football! He loves being a wide receiver and even dreams of becoming a General Manager of an NFL team. If he could go anywhere in the world, he would like to visit the Dolphins Stadium…or Bora Bora! His teacher describes him as respectful of both adults and his peers. If he could have any superpower, he would like the ability to travel both backward and forward in time. No matter where he goes, and what he does, we know that Rocco will always be scoring touchdowns in life! 

Gianna Russo enjoys dancing, baking, swimming in the pool, going to the park, and spending time with family and friends. If she could travel the world, she would like to see Italy for its rich cultural history, and Africa to see the animals and help people in need. If she had a superpower, she thinks it would be cool to be invisible. However, her teacher is overjoyed that Gianna is vibrant and quite visible as she is always an integral part of making their classroom a fun place to learn. We were not surprised to learn that Gianna would like to become a fifth-grade teacher! 

We thank these students for brightening our day and shining that light into the future. In addition to Terrific Kids, Kiwanis also supports Key Club service leadership at the Marco Island Academy, and our newest addition, the Builder’s Club – a service leadership program at the Marco Island Charter Middle School. The club has a dedication to various community outreach programs including Meals of Hope, Toys for Kids – a Christmas toy gift program for Manatee Elementary School students, a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors, and support of other school programs, including extra needs for school equipment. 

Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this wonderful movement of fellowship and camaraderie in serving the children of our community? We would love to welcome YOU to our club. For membership information, please contact club secretary Cindy Crane at lucindaed@aol.com. Stay tuned for our new website currently under construction to be up and running soon!