CMSD NEWS BUREAU

3/15/23

Four James F. Rhodes College and Career Academy students were honored last week for being in the right place at the right time.  

Shortly after a football game at John Marshall High School Campus last October, students Deshawn, Janya, Treva’on and De’Markis noticed two small children in the street.  

“They could have gotten hit or something,” said De’Markis, a RCCA tenth grader.  

The students noticed the toddlers, who are siblings, were not dressed for the chilly weather.  

“The one girl had a pink shirt, the other had no shirt on,” said Treva’on, a RCCA eleventh grader. “Both had diapers on and no shoes.”    

 “I was worried about them,” added Janya, who is in the ninth grade. “I just wanted to make sure they were okay.”    

Janya and Cmdr. Sclacht

Damarkis wrapped one of the girls in his coat to keep her warm as the others tried to determine where the children lived.  

“We knocked on doors, but no one answered,” said Treva’on.  

Finally, Damarkis called his aunt, who helped them contact the police.  

At the ceremony to honor the students for being good Samaritans, Cleveland Division of Police Commander Jarod Schlacht praised these four for being Good Samaritans in front of the entire student body.  

Treva'on and Cmdr. Schlacht

“These students make this community a better place to live,” said Commander Schlacht. “We want to personally thank them for assisting those small children.”    

Commander Schlacht says the children were reunited that evening with their mother without incident.  

The four students each received a Commander’s letter of appreciation and a CDP Challenge Coin, a commemorative medallion given out to recognize special achievements. They will be honored later this year during a city-wide ceremony at Cleveland City Hall.  

De’Markis and Cmdr. Schlacht