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Teens clean up Sottile memorial By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY christopher.tuffley@newssun.com LAKE PLACID -- Roger Pringle, 16, slowly raked the outside perimeter, creating an even pattern of lines. Jerome Gray, 15, and Emilio Cardenas, 13, weeded and pruned the flower bed, stepping carefully among the plants. The three teenagers, all students at the school board's Academy at Youth Care Lane, were tending the memorial for Sgt. Nicholas Sottile, the Florida Highway Patrol trooper who was murdered in January of 2007 during a traffic stop, his killer an adolescent not much older them. The boys had volunteered to beautify the memorial for the holidays. It overlooks U.S. 27 just north of Lake Placid, and marks the spot where Sottile died. It is a remarkably quiet place, despite the speeding cars just feet away. Its American flag can be heard softly snapping, stirred by a breeze. An orange grove stretches out behind the memorial. A carved stone remembers Sottile. It is surrounded by a garden and a low rail fence. Another academy student had volunteered to take part, but Dustin Tomek had to go to a doctor's appointment instead. "After we told them about Nicholas Sottile, they wanted to do this," said Linda Lypan, the academy's volunteer program specialist. "He was a good man, and we're doing it for him," said Emilio, who remembered when Sottile was shot. Roger said Mike Helms, the academy's senior drill instructor who was with them at the memorial, had told him about the tragedy. "I wonder what kind of man he was," Roger said, "and how his family is doing without him." He paused. "I want to do better," he said. Helms and Lypan are betting that he will, and that Jerome and Emilio will, too. "I'd like you to check these boys out five years from now," Helms said. "All three of them have potential of going places. You'll be watching Jerome play football on Saturdays," he said, "Emilio has an incredible work ethic and is a natural leader, and Roger just set an academy overall record running the mile in a low six minutes." The academy is a last resort for students who have been expelled. Calling its students recruits, the program is highly structured in a military basic training template that lasts for nine weeks and includes counseling. The goal is to help adolescents find a different path, so they may have fulfilling, connected lives. Those who complete the program return to the schools from which they were expelled, and the expulsion is removed from their record. Community service is an important part of their education. Teams from the academy have worked removing exotic plants from Highlands Hammock State Park, and volunteered at an assisted living center. Already Jerome has be able to focus and develop a plan for his future. He wants to play college football so he can study music.  (by: Rusty - 11/22/2009) I hope whatever a new owner of the property does, he/she respects the significance of the memorial, and allows it's presence to continue. Anything less would be disrespectful. Memorial Site (by: LP Resident - 11/21/2009) Mr. Shackleford the owner of the grove gave permission for the Memorial to be placed there. The owner at the time told those who worked on the Memorial it would be noted in the sale that the Memorial would have a clause to stay there. Since the sale of the grove the realty agent has been contacted by those involved and told them he understood that was the situation however, he could not guarantee a purchaser would up hold that. It is the hope of the community that a Local Grower will Purchase the grove and land and the Memorial will remain where it should be. giving of there time (by: my thoughts - 11/20/2009) Very nice story, keep up the good work boys stay focused you can do what you have planned. (by: Rusty Shackleford - 11/20/2009) This is a very nice gesture toward the memory of an honorable man. Every time I drive by that memorial it reminds me of the fact that just because I walked out of the door that morning doesn't guarantee I'm coming back through it at the end of the day. Sgt. Sottile will always be remembered, and although I didn't know him, I am sure I would have admired him. As far as the property on which the memorial is constructed, has the grove owner given that section to the county? I am just wondering about the long term status of being able to keep it as is.....One last note...Irony at it's utmost in a way, the Youth Academy from which these kids came from to tend to Sgt. Sottile's memorial site is located approximately two hundred yards from where Sottile's murderer lived, and was apprehended. How is that for ironic? Back to subject, honorable man deserving a permanent tribute site there, question, "Is that site set aside permanently for the memorial?"..I hope so. Thanks (by: Cheryal - 11/20/2009) Nick was a great guy and he would be very proud of what you guys did for him.  Small Banner AdsFeatured PhysicianFeatured AutoFeatured AttorneyMarketplace AdsTile Ads
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