Tyler Naatz thinks he's just being a good friend.

But at Ellis Middle School, his teachers saw more than the usual amount of camaraderie and compassion between two sixth grade classmates.

Naatz was given the first ever Young Citizenship Award at Ellis Friday morning for showing outstanding character with both students and faculty and taking his friendship with classmate Zach Dahmen, who nominated him for the award, a step beyond what anyone expected of him.

"I just want to thank you for being a cool friend and helping me with my work all year long," Dahmen said at the assembly. "You made school fun."

The two have been friends since third or fourth grade, they said, and Naatz has helped Dahmen, who is in a wheelchair, throughout that time, assisting with homework and getting around at school and on field trips.

Dahmen said he nominated Naatz "because he helped me all year, and nobody asked him to."

It has not been a one-sided relationship between the pair. Besides the benefits of having a good friend, Naatz said through their relationship, he has discovered one of his strengths that he plans to use in the future.

"It probably changed my life," Naatz said. "I think when I'm older, I'll probably have a job to help kids in wheelchairs."

To win the Young Citizenship Award a student had to possess characteristics of a good citizen, encourage his or her fellow students, help maintain a safe school environment and serve others.

Naatz received a plaque as recognition for his award, and a large group of family members was at the event to congratulate him, although they had to hide in the teacher's lounge so Tyler would not see them before the award was announced.

Naatz's parents said he has always been a good kid.

His father, Duane Naatz, said as Tyler grew, he could see how well he interacted with other children.

"You started to realize he was a little ahead of the game right off the bat," Duane Naatz said.

His mother Kathi Naatz said she could see the friendship between Tyler and Zach growing this year more than ever.

"He was always trying to help with writing and help out with homework," she said. "More of a friendship outside of school developed this year."

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com