NHS sophomores return lost cash

Most of the attention at Noblesville High School's basketball game on February 12 was on the court.

But two NHS sophomores were perceptive enough to spot $900 laying in a hallway. They were also honest enough to turn it in.

Michael and Ashley found the cash outside the gymnasium area.

"We were just walking down the hall, and I picked up the money and started counting it," said Michael. "I was shocked because the most I've found before was $20."

The money's rightful owner, Mr. Jones, was shocked that he got it back. When he realized he'd lost the cash, he thought he'd never see it again.

Mr. Jones purchased two license plates from the Miller Backers' Spirit Shop that night and thought he had put his money back in his pocket.

"When I realized it was gone, I went into panic mode," he said. "For a whole day and a half, I tore the house apart. I didn't know where it was."

As a last resort, Mr. Jones called the school to see if anyone had turned in the money. To his delight and amazement, he was told the teens had found it.

"I was really impressed with that," he said. "It takes a very strong-charactered person to turn in that much money."

Mr. Jones presented the students with a thank-you card and a "significant" monetary reward for their good deeds.

Michael said many of his friends gave him a hard time about turning over the money.

"A lot of people said I should have kept it, that I was stupid for turning it in," he said. "But they would have done the same thing."

Noblesville High School Principal Tony Cook said he wasn't surprised by the good deed. This sort of thing goes on all the time, he said.

"Ninety-five percent of the students go through here with no problems whatsoever, but you usually hear about the problems," he said. "That's
not the majority of my students. It's nice for me to be able to point out when someone does something like this."

(Reprinted with permission from The Daily Ledger.)