At the October 5 Board of Education meeting, we recognized the Buccaneers of the Month for the district! 

Each month, one student from each building is recognized for modeling positive character traits for their fellow students. New for 2026-2027, the recognition will highlight the traits and skillsets that make up the XCS Portrait of a Graduate. 

This month's focus: Empathy. 

Octoiber Buccaneers of the Month:

• Xenia Preschool: Brilie Mickle
• Arrowood Elementary: Micah Stone
• Cox Elementary: Carter Burns
• McKinley Elementary: Emerson Mick (Emmy) 
• Shawnee Elementary: Lydia Veatch
• Tecumseh Elementary: Lenox Walton
• Warner Middle School: Aaliyah Gray 
• Warner Middle School: Jais Harris
• Warner Middle School: Aurora Welch 
• Xenia High School: Kennedy Jones
• Online Edge: Isis Evans
• Educator of the Month: Marisa Morrison, Tecumseh Elementary School 

Read more about each nominee below, and see additional photos in the online photo gallery.

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Xenia Preschool: Brilie Mickle
I would like to recommend Brilie Mickle as a Buccaneer for the month of October for empathy.  Brilie is an empathetic friend who is able to recognize, understand, and share the emotions of others. She demonstrates strong emotional awareness by noticing what someone else may be feeling and understanding how she can support them. Brilie is thoughtful and caring, and she knows how to be a good friend when others need encouragement, comfort, or a listening ear. She always gives the best hugs! Way to go, Brilie!

Arrowood Elementary: Micah Stone
Arrowood is proud to announce Micah Stone as our Buccaneer of the Month!  He is a wonderful example of what it means to show empathy!  He is quick to smile, and easily includes others.  Micah is mindful of his classmates and his teachers and shows this by the questions he asks and things he remembers about them.  He makes a point to say good morning to others and is quick to help out when someone needs something.  He is humble, and he is fun to be around, too!  Micah is currently carrying straight As, and he continues to work hard in all of this classes.  His 4th grade teacher, Ms. Connor writes, "Micah is respectful to his teachers and classmates.  He always has a positive attitude and brings so much joy to our class!"  Thank you, Micah!

Cox Elementary: Carter Burns
Carter is an outstanding fifth-grade student who truly exemplifies what it means to be a shining star in our Cox Elementary School community. He consistently demonstrates respect toward his classmates, teachers, and everyone around him, while taking responsibility for his actions and his learning. Carter shows genuine care for others through his kindness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to support those around him. He is also a natural problem solver who approaches challenges with a positive attitude and works thoughtfully to find solutions. 
Most importantly, Carter embodies our monthly virtue of empathy. He is attentive to the feelings and needs of others, takes the time to understand different perspectives, and responds with compassion and kindness. Whether he is helping a classmate, encouraging someone who is struggling, or simply making others feel valued and included, Carter consistently demonstrates that he cares about the people around him. His character, compassion, responsibility, and positive influence make him an exceptional role model for his peers and a truly deserving candidate for Student of Character.

McKinley Elementary: Emerson Mick (Emmy) 
Emerson Mick (Emmy) has been chosen as McKinley's Kid of Character for October.  This month, our focus is the character trait of empathy.  Empathy is understanding another's feelings by imagining how they feel.  Basically, "putting yourself in someone else's shoes."  

Emmy demonstrates empathy as she interacts with her friends.  She helps classmates feel like they belong.  Emmy offers kind words or even a hug to someone who is upset.  She is a good friend to all and demonstrates empathy to her classmates.

Shawnee Elementary: Lydia Veatch
Lydia is an awesome third grader who always cares about how other people feel. When she sees a classmate sitting alone at recess or feeling sad about a hard assignment, she is the first one to go over and help. She listens carefully, offers a big smile, and speaks kindly as she encourages them. Lydia loves to cheer up her friends whenever they are down, and her kind heart makes her entire classroom a happier place to be. Lydia is always willing to lend a hand, and she does it with a smile. Thanks for being a great role model to others! 

Tecumseh Elementary: Lenox Walton
We have chosen Lenox for Buccaneer of the Month because she is the Queen of showing empathy toward others. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person by imagining how they feel. Lenox is always kind, caring, and notices when someone might need help or encouragement. Lenox does a great job of thinking about how other people feel and treating everyone with respect and kindness. Not only is Lenox an excellent leader in our building, but she is a wonderful example of how showing empathy can make others feel valued! Keep up the awesome work. We are so proud of you Lenox and are really going to miss you next year!! 

Warner Middle School: Aaliyah Gray 
It is with great pride that the 7th Grade teachers of Team Olympians recognize Aaliyah Gray as our Buccaneer of the Month!

Aaliyah is an outstanding student who shows through her everyday actions what it means to be a person of strong character at Warner Middle School. She is attentive, responsible, hardworking, and consistently takes pride in doing her very best. Aaliyah is also a wonderful role model for her peers. She is kind, shows empathy to others, is helpful, and is always willing to lend a hand. Her positive attitude, great sense of humor, and ability to work well with others make her a joy to have in our classrooms each day. Aaliyah carries herself with respect and integrity and truly represents the qualities we hope to see in all of our students. On behalf of the Team Olympians teachers, we are so proud of you, Aaliyah, and excited to recognize you as our Buccaneer of the Month! Congratulations, you deserve it!

Warner Middle School: Jais Harris
Jais Harris is a great example of a student who shows his Buccaneer Best each day. Jais is prepared, attentive, self-motivated, shows empathy towards others and is respectful. He works diligently on assignments and follows through to complete work thoroughly and accurately. He demonstrates great listening skills by focusing on his teachers during instruction. He works well in small groups and partnerships too, which speaks to his kind and cooperative ability to get along with others. Jais is a natural leader and is well-liked by the students and staff at Warner. We are proud to have Jais represent our 7th grade Guardian Team as the October Buccaneer of the Month.    

Warner Middle School: Aurora Welch 
Aurora Welch is the definition of an exceptional student—not just because of her dedication to her schoolwork, but because of the profound empathy she brings into the classroom every day. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and Aurora demonstrates this characteristic naturally in everything she does. She is exceptionally attuned to those around her, always quick to notice when a classmate is struggling or feeling left out. Whether she is offering a reassuring word, listening attentively when a peer needs to speak, or stepping in to make sure everyone feels included during group work, Aurora consistently leads with heart. Her deep capacity for understanding others transforms her classroom into a warmer, more welcoming space for everyone.

Alongside her empathy, Aurora stands out for her incredible responsibility and determination. She understands that success comes from genuine effort, and she tackles every challenge with admirable grit and perseverance. A perfect example of her hard work was when she earned the role of Spider-Man through sheer dedication, preparing relentlessly and giving her all during tryouts. That same work ethic carries over into her daily academic life. Aurora takes full ownership of her learning, stays organized, and consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of her. Her peers know they can depend on her, and her commitment to excellence sets an inspiring example for everyone around her.

Above all, Aurora is a genuinely kind, helpful, and dependable member of her school community. She is always eager to lend a hand to her teachers, whether by assisting with classroom tasks or supporting classmates who need extra help with an assignment. Her positive attitude, combined with her empathy and strong work ethic, makes her an absolute joy to teach. It is no surprise that her teachers love having her in class and hold her in such high regard. Aurora Welch is truly an amazing student, leaving a lasting, positive impact on everyone fortunate enough to learn alongside her.

Xenia High School: Kennedy Jones
Kennedy Jones is an outstanding example of empathy, kindness, and compassion at Xenia High School. She consistently treats both students and staff with respect and understanding, and she is always willing to step in and help when someone is in need. Her positive attitude and genuine concern for others make her a role model who helps create a welcoming and supportive school community.

Kennedy demonstrates her empathy through her many leadership and service roles, including Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Vice President of National Honor Society, Reporter for Student Council, Secretary of the Technology Student Association, and Freshman Mentor. As a mentor and leader, she takes the time to support others, encourage those around her, and help others feel valued and included. Her involvement shows that her leadership is not simply about holding positions, but about using those opportunities to serve and positively impact others.

Kennedy’s ability to balance her many responsibilities while continuing to lead with kindness and compassion speaks volumes about her character. She consistently puts empathy into action through the way she supports her peers, serves her school, and makes herself available to others. Kennedy truly embodies the spirit of a Buccaneer by showing that small acts of kindness, understanding, and support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her.

Online Edge: Isis Evans
Isis has been a valued member of the Online Edge program since the sixth grade (6 years), consistently bringing kindness and a wonderful sense of humor to our school. Isis is a student who leads with empathy, showing deep care and respect for both her peers and her teachers. Her empathy shines through in her protective nature. Whenever a classmate is being treated unkindly, Isis is the first to step in and support them. While she is confident and never afraid to share her honest opinion, she is incredibly thoughtful about the impact of her words. She deliberately chooses her language to ensure she uplifts others rather than hurting their feelings. Isis perfectly models what it means to be a compassionate and considerate leader.