On Thursday, 18 incredible young people were honored for their willingness to do the right thing…even in sometimes heartbreaking situations.

They were the annual “Do the Right Thing Awards” held at the Department of Public Safety building in Rochester. And this year, a special treat from some of the honorees: Attendees enjoyed entertainment from members of the Webster Thomas Barbershop Choir, all of whom received Do the Right Thing awards for giving a special performance for an elderly neighbor who had lost to her husband.

News10NBC is the media sponsor, and News10NBC anchor and investigative reporter Deanna Dewberry had the honor of serving as emcee.

This year’s awards ceremony was especially emotional, with recipients and audiences often crying as Dewberry told stories about the children’s actions, acts of generosity, heroism, selflessness and courage. One of those stories was that of Grady Surdyk, a third grader whose mother suffers from a seizure disorder. On three separate occasions, young Grady was able to get his mother to safety as her body became stuck, clearing her airway and calling for emergency help.

The Rochester Police Department has been a part of the Do the Right Thing program since 1995. Since it began, the program has honored more than 1,200 winners and has given away $110,000 in scholarships to college or vocational schools. Every Thursday we will feature a Do the Right Thing award winner on News10NBC on our 5 p.m. newscast.