At the May 11 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 May 2026 Kids of Character: 

• Xenia Preschool: Kiana Ritze
• Arrowood Elementary: Leilah Chamberlain 
• Cox Elementary: Emma Ruddy 
• McKinley Elementary: Cameron Scullion
• Shawnee Elementary: Mila Bautista 
• Tecumseh Elementary: Codi Jackson 
• Warner Middle School: Kaelyn Munguia  
• Warner Middle School: Evan Simmons 
• Warner Middle School: Davon Rodriguez  
• Xenia High School: Emma Gilliam

See photos of all of the May 2026 Kids of Character in the online photo gallery. 

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Xenia Preschool: Kiana Ritze
Kiana comes to school every day with a smile on her face. She is always willing to help friends and gives her best effort. She loves playing with friends, and is kind to everyone.

Arrowood Elementary: Leilah Chamberlain 
Congratulations to Leilah Chamberlain for being an Arrowood All-Star! Her 5th grade homeroom teacher, Ms. Lewis, writes: "Leilah comes to school every day with a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn. She listens and follows directions well. She is happy, polite, and kind. She is respectful and responsible. I appreciate Leilah because she is always willing to help me in the classroom and is a joy to teach. Keep shining!" Mrs. Christian is so thankful for Leilah, also! Leilah volunteers as a greeter team member by holding doors and welcoming students to school in the mornings. She can always count on Leilah to be at the door and ready on the weeks that she is scheduled. She is so friendly and thoughtful to all of our students. Thank you, Leilah! You are very deserving of this recognition!

Cox Elementary: Emma Ruddy 
Emma is respectful and responsible at school. She is always friendly to students and staff and shows that she cares about them. Emma is hardworking and loves learning. Keep shining, Emma!

McKinley Elementary: Cameron Scullion
Cameron Scullion is a model fourth-grade student who consistently demonstrates outstanding character, making him a true Kid of Character. He is incredibly considerate of his classmates and teachers. Cameron pays attention during instruction and is always polite toward teachers and peers. Cameron is hardworking when it comes to his schoolwork. He turns in quality, accurate, neatly completed work. When group projects are assigned, he makes sure to carry his share of the responsibility, checking details and making sure the final product is polished. Instead of just giving answers, he patiently offers guidance, helping peers understand difficult concepts and motivating them to persist when they feel frustrated. This combination of being hardworking and encouraging makes him an exceptional collaborator. Cameron Scullion embodies all the qualities of a model student, making our fourth-grade classroom a better place every day.

Shawnee Elementary: Mila Bautista 
It is our honor to recognize Mila Bautista as Shawnee Elementary’s Student of Character for May. Mila does a wonderful job working with her classmates and teachers, and she helps create a positive, supportive environment in our school. She comes to school each day with a great attitude and always gives her best effort. She has also shown impressive dedication to her reading, completing over 100 passages, books, magazines, and stories as part of a reading challenge. Her hard work and perseverance have truly stood out. Mila is a natural leader who leads by example, and we are very proud of her. Congratulations, Mila, on this well-deserved recognition.

Tecumseh Elementary: Codi Jackson 
Codi is our class’s kid of character for Empathy. Codi has an infectious smile and laugh. He has a very funny personality that is full of kindness and love. He demonstrates determination every day to be his best. Codi never gives up when completing new tasks in the classroom or throughout the school. Codi uses a communication device to communicate his wants, needs, and show his academic progress. When Codi notices someone is upset, he shows them he cares with his compassionate facial expressions and gestures. He has shown such growth in all aspects of his school life. Codi also teaches his teachers new things each week. He is such an amazing and incredibly smart young man who shows perseverance each and every day. Congrats Codi Jackson, you brighten our days and inspire us with your smile, laughter, and that big brain! Keep shining bright, Tecumseh is really going to miss you next year!!

Warner Middle School: Kaelyn Munguia  
Warner Middle School is proud to recognize Kaelyn Munguia as our “Kid of Character!” Kaelyn consistently demonstrates determination, resilience, and reliability each and every day. She comes to school with a positive attitude—happy, smiling, and ready to learn. During class, Kaelyn actively participates and always makes an effort to answer questions.

Kaelyn enjoys connecting with staff and often shares stories, especially about her two cats, Minnie and Belle. She takes pride in her work, strives to do her best, and is motivated to earn good grades. When she is absent or misses an assignment, Kaelyn shows responsibility by reaching out to staff to ensure she stays caught up.

Additionally, Kaelyn makes excellent use of her Flex time, often dedicating it to creating Door Dash bags through the Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She is efficient, focused, and conscientious in completing these tasks, demonstrating a strong work ethic.

Kaelyn’s positive attitude, confidence, and thoughtful decision-making make her an outstanding example of what it means to be a Warner Middle School “Kid of Character.”

Warner Middle School: Evan Simmons 
Evan Simmons is a true “Kid of Character” who consistently demonstrates what it means to be a positive and engaged member of the classroom community. As a 7th grade student, Evan always puts forth his best effort in his work and takes pride in doing things the right way. He eagerly volunteers to participate, often stepping up to work at the board and support class learning.

Beyond his academic effort, Evan stands out for his kind, friendly, and fun personality. He brings a sense of humor that brightens the classroom while also showing respect and care for others. Evan is a loyal and supportive friend, and his positive attitude makes him someone that classmates and teachers alike enjoy being around.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Evan enjoys being a member of the percussion section of the band, where he continues to show dedication and teamwork. Evan is Dr. Simpson's right-hand man. He reminds her to complete the monthly fire drills and is always willing to pull the fire alarm. Evan is a wonderful student and truly represents strong character through his actions each day. 

Warner Middle School: Davon Rodriguez  
Warner Middle School proudly recognizes Davon Rodriguez as the “Kid of Character” for the month of May. Davon consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence, approaching his work with diligence, focus, and integrity. He is an active and engaged participant in the classroom, contributing thoughtfully to activities and discussions.

Davon is respectful, responsible, and considerate in his interactions with peers and staff. He fosters a positive classroom environment through his kindness, cooperation, and willingness to support others. He works effectively both independently and as part of a group.

In addition to his academic efforts, Davon is a member of the sixth-grade choir and enjoys drawing. His actions reflect the core values of strong character, making him a deserving recipient of this recognition.

Xenia High School: Emma Gilliam
It is my pleasure to nominate Emma Gilliam as a Kid of Character. She is a positive role model who is respectful, responsible, and always willing to help others. Emma works hard in class, stays focused, and shows a strong commitment to doing her best. She asks thoughtful questions and is consistently prepared, on time, and ready to learn each day.

Emma demonstrates a commitment to helping others succeed. She volunteers as a tutor and is a valuable resource for both the teacher and her peers. Her willingness to offer guidance and encouragement shows genuine care for those around her. Emma meets every deadline and often goes above and beyond expectations. While her academic success is impressive, it is her kindness, leadership, and dedication to others that make her deserving of recognition as a Kid of Character.