Forty Greater Cincinnati teens were honored Thursday night with 2000 YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Character Awards. The fourth annual awards honor teens who have demonstrated positive character traits.

        Keynote speaker was Sharon Draper, author and 1997's National Teacher of the Year.

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati's Steve Suskin (left) and the Rev. Len Wenke talk with award recipients Christina Budai and Amy Broxterman (right) before the ceremony at Music Hall on Thursday. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        The winners:

        Amretha Apana, Indian Hill Middle School; Jamie Elizabeth Bayliss, College of Mount St. Joseph; Amy Broxterman, Colerain High School; Christina Budai, Glen Este High School; Benjamin Burkhart, home schooled; Nathan Diller, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Lora Fitzpatrick, Amelia High School; Ashley Friedman, Wyoming High School; Nyketa Gail Gaffney, Hughes High School; and Mark Grome, LaSalle High School.

        Robbie Gubser, St. Mary's; Diamond Harris, Walnut Hills High School; Amber Hawkins, Glen Este High School; Nora Hill, Roger Bacon High School; Benjamin Hofstetter, Purcell Mar ian High School; Nasheed Hossain, Glen Este High School; Samuel James, Turpin High School; Jameine Johnson, Chase High School; Robert Jones, Walnut Hills High School; and Allison Khaskelis, Seven Hills Upper School.

        Abby King, Finneytown High School; Annie Lame, Ursuline Academy; Asha Manuel, Purcell Marian High School; Jaclyn D. Martina, Glen Este High School; Andrea Merrick, Seven Hills Upper School; Erin Miller, St. Ursula Academy; Chris Morris, Hughes Center; Carmen Nyswonger, Walnut Hills High School; Charles Patterson, Woodward High School; and Kristin Pearson, Ursuline Academy.

        Christina Potter, Sycamore High School; Meghan Pugh, Notre Dame Academy; Nick Renneker, Indian Hill High School; David Schneider, Colerain High School; Sarah Silverman, Sycamore High School; Sarah Smith, Oak Hills High School; James Thomas, Woodward High School; Chris Tieke, Glen Este High School; Esther West, Seton High School; and Amy Zimmerman, Glen Este High School.

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