Taliyah McBride, sixth-grader at Marshall STEMM Academy, was chosen as a Kid of Character for her responsibility and commitment to helping other students as part of the school’s safety patrol.

“I was quite surprised. I didn’t even know I got nominated at first,” Taliyah said. “I’m kind of proud of myself.”

As part of the safety patrol, Taliyah, 11, stands at the crosswalks before and after school, helping her peers get across the street safely.

“I like helping others,” she said. “It’s my way of giving back to the school.”

Kate Liberios, fifth grade teacher at Marshall STEMM Academy who taught Taliyah last year, said in addition to being on the safety patrol, the young girl makes responsible choices at school, helps other students with classwork, and is friendly to everyone.

She takes school seriously, Ms. Liberios said, and is always willing to go above and beyond with her work and assignments. She also takes care of her family members who attend the same school.

“Taliyah is a model helper at school for both her peers and staff,” Ms. Liberios said.

Danielle McBride, Taliyah’s mother, said when her daughter told her she was picked as a Kid of Character, she was shocked. And then, Ms. McBride started getting happy for her.

“She loves being a (safety) guard. She makes sure she gets there on time,” Ms. McBride said. “Whether it’s rain, snow, or sun, she’s out there.”

Ms. McBride adopted her grandson and granddaughter, and when the family is together at home, Taliyah helps them and plays with them, her mother said. But if the younger kids are running late in the morning, and Taliyah is in danger of being late for her responsibility as a guard, she’ll tell her mother to take her to school first and then come back for the kids, Ms. McBride said, laughing.

“She’s very committed and dedicated to being a guard,” she said.

Taliyah said her favorite subject in school is math, her favorite singer is Billie Eilish, and her favorite candy is M&Ms. In her free time, she likes to talk to her friends and play video games.

First Published November 27, 2019, 6:53 p.m.