At the December 8 Board of Education meeting, we recognized our Kids of Character for the district! Each month, one student from each building is recognized for modeling positive character traits such as respect, responsibility, and integrity for their fellow students.

Congratulations to our December 2025 Kids of Character: 

• Xenia Preschool: Caden Tucker
• Arrowood Elementary: Audrey Gregory 
• Cox Elementary: Eamonie Rike
• McKinley Elementary: Bailee Estes 
• Shawnee Elementary: Elise Vasquez-Jackson 
• Tecumseh Elementary: Elena Gargin
• Warner Middle School: Logan Cooper
• Warner Middle School: Raymond (Ray) Glass
• Warner Middle School: Tessa Fraley
• Xenia High School: Cooper Slouffman

Read more about each student below, and  find photos in the online photo gallery.

Xenia Preschool: Caden Tucker
Caden is an exemplary role model at the preschool. He shows kindness, respect and compassion to others every day. He uses kind words and has a big heart when helping and playing with peers. He shares well, takes turns, and always puts forth his best effort even when things are hard. He reminds us through his actions that being a good friend and doing the right thing makes our classroom a great place to learn and grow. He brightens everyone's day with his big smile, cheerful personality and positive attitude! Keep up the great work Caden!    

Arrowood Elementary: Audrey Gregory 
Arrowood is proud to announce Audrey Gregory as our December Kid of Character. Audrey is a 3rd grade student in Ms. Garcia and Mrs. Faulkner's classes. She is well-deserving of this award because daily she upholds our Arrowood values of being respectful, being responsible, being a problem solver, and doing her best. Her homeroom teacher, Ms. Garcia writes, "Thank you, Audrey, for displaying amazing qualities. You are always on task, you are patient with others, and you always do the right thing! Keep up the wonderful work!" We are so grateful that you are one of our students!

Cox Elementary: Eamonie Rike
Eamonie is a wonderful student at Cox Elementary. Eamonie always looks for opportunities to exhibit shining star behavior. At Cox a shining star is a student who shines by being respectful, being a problem solver, being considerate of others, and being responsible. Eamonie demonstrates these qualities each day at school. He is respectful to his teachers, friends, and the school building. He goes above and beyond to help his friends when he thinks that they need help. He is very considerate about being respectful to the classroom. He cleans up any mess that he sees to help the classroom environment. He is certainly a problem solver. In class we are working on adding 2-digit numbers with 4 addends and he is exhibiting problem solver qualities while working hard on this math task! He shows that he cares by being considerate of others. Eamonie will show kindness to students very often but especially at recess. He plays kickball and is always considerate of students who are trying kickball for the first time. He will let the student walk to the base or he will tell them how to play. Eamonie is responsible. He completes his classwork and homework along with taking feedback well about his work. Eamonie is truly a shining star at our school and in our classroom!

McKinley Elementary: Bailee Estes 
McKinley is proud to recognize Bailee Estes as our Kid of Character! Bailee is a kind-hearted student who always looks out for others and makes everyone feel included. She puts great effort into her schoolwork, shows responsibility, and consistently strives to be her best. Bailee is quick to lend a helping hand to both her classmates and her teacher, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a positive attitude each day. She treats everyone with honesty, fairness, and respect, making her a wonderful friend and a true role model in our classroom. Bailee’s enthusiasm for learning and her thoughtful nature help create a welcoming and supportive environment for all. We are so proud to celebrate Bailee and the outstanding character she shows in everything she does!

Shawnee Elementary: Elise Vasquez-Jackson 
Representing Shawnee, Elise Vasquez-Jackson consistently demonstrates gratitude in both words and actions. She is quick to recognize and acknowledge the efforts of others. Her positive attitude and thoughtful behavior help create a welcoming and respectful environment in the classroom. By leading through example, Elise shows her peers that practicing gratitude is an important part of daily life.

Tecumseh Elementary: Elena Gargin
Elena is always kind and respectful. She treats others the way she wants to be treated. Elena listens when someone is talking and never interrupts. She includes everyone and doesn't leave anyone out. If someone is feeling sad, she tries to cheer them up and is a good friend. Elena always uses her manners and is polite to teachers and classmates. She is a leader in our school after only just starting here this year! Keep up the great work Elena, Tecumseh is lucky to have you!!

Warner Middle School: Logan Cooper
Warner Middle School is proud to recognize Logan Cooper as our Kid of Character! Logan demonstrates kindness and leadership every single day. He is always willing to help his classmates by showing them how to complete their work, and he never hesitates to assist students in wheelchairs by picking up items they can’t reach.

Logan regularly volunteers to work at the Smartboard and treats everyone with kindness, consideration, and respect. He even uses his own free time each day to help his teacher straighten up the classroom. Logan approaches every task with enthusiasm, participates actively in his exploratory classes, and truly loves being at school.

His caring attitude and willingness to help others make him a shining example of what it means to be a Warner Middle School Kid of Character!

Warner Middle School: Raymond (Ray) Glass
Warner Middle School is proud to recognize Raymond (Ray) Glass for his continued educational success and outstanding character. Ray shows a genuine interest in learning and eagerly participates in every activity and lesson. He often shares his school experiences with his family, demonstrating how much he values his education.

Ray is an exemplary reader and excels in mathematics. He enjoys community trips, Adapted Physical Education, cooking, WEB Wednesdays, and the GCBDD visits to his classroom. Always willing to lend a hand, Ray volunteers to help his classmates and takes on classroom responsibilities with enthusiasm.

Ray’s positive attitude, kindness, and strong work ethic make him a joy to have in class and a true example of what it means to be a Warner Middle School Kid of Character!

Warner Middle School: Tessa Fraley 
Warner Middle School is proud to recognize Tessa Fraley as our Kid of Character!

Tessa demonstrates cheerfulness, kindness, and friendliness each and every day. She comes to school happy, smiling, and ready to learn. Tessa eagerly participates in class, always raising her hand to answer questions and contribute to discussions.

She is incredibly thoughtful and supportive of her classmates, peers, and staff. Whether it’s offering words of encouragement to someone having a tough day or giving praise and applause when a classmate answers correctly, Tessa consistently lifts up those around her.

During Flex time, Tessa dedicates part of her week to making ice packs for the school clinic—a wonderful example of her willingness to help others. She also loves music and can often be found dancing and singing around the classroom during her free time.

Tessa’s pleasant, considerate nature and uplifting spirit make her a shining example of what it means to be a Warner Middle School Kid of Character.

Xenia High School: Cooper Slouffman
Cooper is a percussionist in the Xenia High School Concert Band and has exemplified what it means to be a student of the utmost character, setting the example for the rest of the students in the band program and at XHS. Cooper takes it upon himself to show and teach technique to others that are younger or the same age as himself, showing a willingness to better those around him by providing assistance at any point throughout the day or within rehearsals.

Cooper also practices in an efficient manner on a weekly, if not daily basis, always coming prepared to rehearsals, events and any activities where his talents are in use. I can always count on him to show initiative and consistency.

Lastly, he often exceeds the normal standards and expectations of the program by going above and beyond. He considered the use that the program could get out of wheels that were attached to a non-working cart. Asked me if he could come in on his own time, remove and restore the wheels for safe-keeping and dispose of the rest of the cart. This like-minded focus on helping the program as a whole allows him to stand out in my eyes as someone who sets the tone for the sophomore class, the band program and exemplifies great character as a human.