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November 3, 2026

November 2026 Buccaneers of the Month

Students stand holding certificates in front of a white and blue backdrop.

At the November 2 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: Perseverance. 

November Buccaneers of the Month:

  • Xenia Preschool: Oliver Titcombe
  • Arrowood Elementary: Victoria (Tori) Pesta 
  • Cox Elementary: Elijah Davis 
  • McKinley Elementary: Lincoln Day 
  • Shawnee Elementary: Jai Mahaffey
  • Tecumseh Elementary: Nora Novosel
  • Warner Middle School: Eliza Hawes 
  • Warner Middle School: Ronan Leonard 
  • Warner Middle School: Owen Perez
  • Xenia High School: Mouhamed Seck
  • Online Edge: Kimya (May) Lainer 
  • Staff of the Month: Natalie Reed

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

Xenia Preschool: Oliver Titcombe
Oliver has been a student at Xenia Preschool since 2024. He is a kind and determined student who has demonstrated tremendous perseverance throughout this school year. Oliver approaches challenging tasks with a willingness to keep trying and does not give up when things become difficult. His grit and determination are evident in his continued efforts to overcome challenges and build new skills.

Oliver’s teachers have been introducing a variety of tools to support his communication, and he has made wonderful progress in learning to use these tools. We are incredibly proud of Oliver’s growth, determination, and perseverance. Keep up the great work, Oliver!

Arrowood Elementary: Victoria (Tori) Pesta 
Arrowood Elementary is proud to recognize Victoria Pesta as our Buccaneer of the Month!  Her teacher, Mrs. Duffy, states that she "listens when others are speaking, uses polite manners, and follows classroom rules.  Victoria puts forth extra effort and has excellent leadership skills.  She is a great role model for others."  Victoria is very smart, but she doesn't take that for granted! She challenges herself, pushes through, and succeeds. She is a great example of the kind of perseverance we want to recognize here at Arrowood! She keeps herself busy in class by using her time wisely even when she is finished with assignments. Another great quality about Victoria is that she is a great friend! She is quick to include others, thoughtful towards their needs, and generally just a fun person to be around!  Arrowood is so thankful that Victoria is our student!

Cox Elementary: Elijah Davis 
Elijah has shown a tremendous level of perseverance and portrays an incredible image of what a shining star truly is. He works hard and performs his best work during school no matter what obstacles may cross his path. He has shown tremendous growth and dedication at Cox Elementary, which is reflected in his outstanding participation and ability to work well with others. Elijah demonstrates determination, a positive attitude, and willingness to keep trying. Elijah is truly a shining star at Cox Elementary.

McKinley Elementary: Lincoln Day 
Lincoln Day is a compassionate, hard-working problem solver and is beyond helpful. He perseveres even when something is hard. He asks questions that are helpful to the whole class and is willing to apply feedback to his own learning. He encourages his classmates to also preserve when they are feeling frustrated. He encourages them with kind words and actions. Lincoln Day is a wonderful student to have in class, and we are proud of the learning he has accomplished so far this year. 

Shawnee Elementary: Jai Mahaffey
Jai Mahaffey was chosen for the Buccaneer of the Month for the character trait of perseverance. No matter how hard the task may be for Jai, she never gives up and always gives her best. She always asks questions to clarify any misunderstandings or confusion she may have in all of her classes. When she does poorly on an assignment, she doesn't get frustrated or quit; instead, she regroups and tries again. We are very grateful to have Jai at Shawnee this year and are excited to witness the growth she is going to make this year through her ability to persevere. 

Tecumseh Elementary: Nora Novosel
Nora is a perfect example of perseverance! Nora pushes herself to her full potential and is always up to tackle any challenge! She is great at asking questions to ensure her understanding of a topic and continues to take her time on all her school assignments. She double checks her work before turning it in to ensure she receives the best possible score. She problem solves when she’s stuck and considers all options before making a decision.
Nora shows perseverance and responsibility not only in her academics but in her choices and actions and always offers a helping hand to others. Nora goes above and beyond helping Tecumseh as a Student Ambassador, recycling and in the Habitat Lab. She is a thoughtful and creative thinker and brings a fresh perspective to her peers. Our school is a better place with Nora! 

Warner Middle School: Eliza Hawes 
The Buccaneer of the Month for Team Nationals is Eliza Hawes. Eliza is a wonderful student who consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. She approaches her learning with diligence, determination, and a willingness to persevere through challenges. Eliza takes pride in her work, stays focused on her responsibilities, and consistently submits assignments on time. Her dedication to doing her best and her ability to maintain a great attitude make her a pleasure to have in the classroom.

In addition to her academic strengths, Eliza treats others with kindness and respect. She is a dependable, cooperative student who works exceptionally well with her peers and is a great partner during group activities. She consistently demonstrates the qualities of a responsible, hardworking, and considerate young lady. This is why Team Nationals has chosen her as the Buccaneer of the Month!

Warner Middle School: Ronan Leonard 
We are proud to recognize Ronan as our Buc of the Month! Ronan is a great example of a student-athlete who balances strong academics with his commitment to athletics. In the classroom, he demonstrates kindness, responsibility, and respect for others, always willing to lend a helping hand. 

Beyond the classroom, Ronan exemplifies leadership on and off the football field. He leads by example, acts with integrity, and demonstrates perseverance when faced with challenges. His determination, positive attitude, and encouragement of others make him a wonderful role model for his peers. We are proud to celebrate Ronan and the positive impact he has on our school community!

Warner Middle School: Owen Perez
With a strong work ethic, Owen Perez shows a commitment to success in all that he does. He earns good grades in honors classes and maintains excellent attendance. Owen demonstrates perseverance by staying focused, working through challenges, and continuing to put forth his best effort, even when things are difficult. Outside the classroom, Owen enjoys playing soccer and hunting. He also participates in WEB, where he has opportunities to develop his leadership skills. When given a responsibility, Owen takes it seriously and follows through. Working well with others, he consistently contributes to the school community. Owen Perez is a pleasure to have in class and has the determination, perseverance, and character to continue succeeding. These qualities make him an excellent choice for Buccaneer of the Month.  

Xenia High School: Mouhamed Seck
Mouhamed Seck was nominated as Buccaneer of the Month because he consistently demonstrates both grit and gratitude. As a new student at XHS, Mouhamed is managing a rigorous course load that includes Trigonometry & Pre-calc, Principles of engineering, US government, and Chemistry. It is impressive to see him maintain excellent grades while simultaneously learning English. Navigating high school as an ESL student presents unique challenges, yet Mouhamed manages to excel. Whenever he misses class, he communicates clearly and proactively about his missing assignments. He shows a willingness to learn new concepts and will ask questions in class. He deserves to be Buccaneer of the Month because he demonstrates perseverance by being an active communicator, maintaining a strong work ethic, and having a growth mindset. 

Online Edge: Kimya (May) Lainer 
Mya demonstrates the true meaning of perseverance every single day. She joined our Online Edge program this year as a junior, navigating the rigorous demands of high school while embracing new and life-changing responsibilities at home. Mya has never missed an in-person check-in and consistently stays ahead in all of her courses, maintaining straight A's. Furthermore, she has already successfully met her graduation testing requirements for both ELA and Algebra. Mya communicates effectively and consistently with her teachers in order to promote her success.  Mya is a shining example of how resilience and determination can turn challenges into triumphs, making her incredibly deserving of Online Edge's Buccaneer of the Month.

Staff of the Month: Natalie Reed
Natalie joined the preschool team in 2015 and has made a lasting impact on her students’ lives. She is dedicated to building a strong foundation that not only prepares her students for kindergarten but also sets them on a path to becoming successful Xenia students. Natalie is always looking for ways to improve as a teacher, learn new strategies, and better meet her students’ needs. Her dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping every child succeed are evident in her work each day.
Natalie shows perseverance every day by going above and beyond for her students, even when things get hard. This year, she took on a higher-needs classroom and met the challenges head-on, putting in extra time and effort to create a positive, successful learning environment. She doesn’t give up when things are difficult and keeps finding ways to help each student learn and grow. She works closely with families and therapists to make sure her students get the support they need, and she is always willing to try new things and find solutions when something isn’t working. Her patience, determination, and hard work make a difference in her students’ lives every day. Natalie is a great example of perseverance, a wonderful teammate, and a true asset to our school!