Even when others are not looking, Hector Lozano does the right thing.

The Mirror Lake Elementary third-grader is always willing to go above and beyond to support his classmates, stated Natalee Daniels, Mirror Lake principal, in her nomination of Hector for the Mirror’s November Scholar of the Month.

Hector is a role model.

“In the classroom, he serves as a scout for his teacher to acknowledge other scholars that are demonstrating evidence of expectations,” Daniels stated. “He is a role model in the school, demonstrating to other students the importance of making good choices.”

Hector says a role model shows how to be safe, respectful and responsible.

“They show integrity like you’re capable of doing the right thing while someone’s not looking and trying to make other kids follow your footsteps.”

Daniels said Hector is consistently demonstrating leadership skills throughout the school. Whether it is during morning assembly or in the classroom, “he is always being safe, respectful and responsible,” she continued. “Hector encourages others positively within all parts of the school to follow expectations and try their best.”

Other scholars in the classroom also look to Hector for encouragement, advice and support, his principal added.

Hector says some of the ways he encourages others to try their best is by showing integrity, and trying to be kind.

“Do the right thing every time, even when the teacher is not looking. And they (other students) will follow you and do the right thing too.”

When Hector grows up, he wants to be a marine biologist to “stop the plastic from getting into the ocean and save all of the endangered species – All of the great animals like sawfish, manatees, sharks and stuff.”

He said his teacher, Ms. Brasch, has helped him to succeed in school.

“She said if anything is going on, we can talk to her, and that she will always be there for us. She also will help us on our work if it is really hard.”

As for the advice he gives to other students to help them be their best in school, he says: “Stay focused.”

Nominations for the Mirror’s Scholar of the Month are based on a scholar’s perfect attendance, academic performance and their demonstration of positive and productive behaviors in school with no discipline.