WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — When Angie Galvan saw a bulging bank bag on top of a vending machine in Lakota West High School's cafeteria last week, she knew something was fishy.

Angie Galvan (right) received a letter from Coca-Cola Bottling Co., which Lakota West Principal Richard Hamilton (left) also received, after she returned $200. (Lakota West photo)

        Earlier that day Angie had seen a serviceman working on the machine and she suspected he had left the bag there. So the alert 17-year-old office aide picked up the bag and took it to the school office and went back to her task of delivering passes. When school resource officer Ian Stegmaier opened the bag he discovered more than $200 in coins and rolled bills.

        “My first thought was to open it and see what was inside,” Angie said. “But I could see and feel it was full so I brought it to the office.”

        Angie thought the incident so minor that she didn't think to tell her parents — until she got a letter of thanks praising her honesty from Julie Hellebusch, an account manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Along with the letter, which was copied to Principal Richard Hamilton, Angie was given a six-pack of bottled water and a Coke T-shirt. She was surprised when some of her teachers told classmates about it.

        “I didn't expect anything,” Angie said. "I didn't even think about it.”

        Athletics director Stu Eversole sent Angie a long-sleeve Lakota mock turtleneck on behalf of the school district, in recognition of Angie's honesty.

        “When the worker came back to get the bag he opened it and was surprised to see the money,” said Jeanette Weinberg, a school secretary. “How easy it would have been to just put the money in your pocket. All too often we hear about students who make mistakes or do something wrong. Angie immediately did the right thing without hesitating and we should honor her for that. How wonderful that she turned it in.”
       

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