For three pupils, deed earns awards

YOUNGSTOWN -- Three St. Matthias School pupils are being recognized for their honesty.
Gia Craft, a kindergartner; and Bobby Ford and Billy McCulloch, both fifth-graders, were playing outside near Taft Elementary when they spotted what appeared to be papers blowing by, related Dee Pitko, a second-grade teacher at St. Matthias.
The youngsters investigated and found that the "papers" were actually about $500 in checks, cash and orders for a candy sale fund-raiser being conducted at Taft, 730 E. Avondale Ave., on the South Side.
After collecting everything, the children gave what they had gathered to Billy and Gia's mother, Susan Craft, who, along with the youngsters, saw that it all was returned to Taft.
Taft Principal Michael Schubert said a PTA officer had placed the money and checks on her trunk while she put her baby in a car seat. Forgetting that the valuables were still outside, she drove off, casting the papers to the wind.
Taft officials were grateful to the children. They presented Gia, Billy and Bobby with awards and gift certificates.
"I was impressed" by the children's good deed, Schubert said. "It brings a smile to your face."