Fairfield High School students Michelle Bailey and Allison Gibson were recent recipients of the God & Life Award at John Wesley United Methodist Church, Fairfield.

Krista Long, their counselor, said the award is designed to help young people grow in their understanding of what Christians believe.

Long said the God & Life Award is the last program in the God and Country religious award series at the church. "It helps them to see how other people have translated belief into action,'' Long said. "It also helps them to learn how to provide Christian service to others.''

Michelle Bailey (left) and Allison Gibson are active in Fairfield's John Wesley United Methodist Church. Photo provided

Allison is a graduating senior and Michelle is a junior.

Both are in the Senior Girl Scout Troop 553 of the North Star Service Unit of Fairfield and Fairfield Township.

Perfect attendance

Two local students have a rare accomplishment: They haven't missed a day in school in more than 12 years.

They are Alex Hunter, who graduated from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy this year, and Rachael Sterbling, who will graduate Friday from Milford High School.

Rachael has a 13-year unblemished record.

"There were times when I was sick, but not sick enough to miss school,'' she said.

Alex finished with a 4.0 grade-point average. He is a member of the National Honor Society and played football for four years. He was an All-Academic scholar in 2002 and 2003.

He made second team all-league in 2003 as a center. Alex played varsity in his sophomore, junior and senior years.

He will attend Hanover College, where he is the first football player to receive the Crowe Merit Scholarship.

Alex said he plans to major in biology with an emphasis on pre-med.

Rachael was active in basketball and volleyball. She plans to attend Marshall University and study business management or education.

Work furthered

Two nonprofit organizations are the recipients of $25,000 grants for their work in making a difference in the region.

The grants were given to the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati and Second Chance Horse Rescue.

Barefoot Advertising , downtown Cincinnati, gave the awards.

Fran Dicari, a partner at Barefoot, said both organizations are making the community a better place to live.

The Literacy Network will use the money to further develop awareness of literacy in schools, workplace and the community, said Stephanie Graves, executive director.

Second Chance provides a safe haven for horses that can no longer be cared for by their owners. The horses are kept from auction houses or slaughter until they can be adopted by families or individuals.

Acts of kindness

Purcell Marian High School and Kroger are sponsoring a plan to raise money for student field trips.

The project involves purchasing a Kroger gift/debit card from the school for $10. Kroger will donate $5 to help students pay for field trips during the weeklong annual spring intersession program.

Buyers will receive a Kroger card containing a $5 credit. The card can be reloaded at Kroger anytime for any amount up to $250.

Dave Campbell, dean of students at Purcell Marian, said shoppers can add credit to the card at the register before paying for their items.

"Then use the gift/debit card to pay for your purchases and Purcell Marian will earn 4 percent each time," Campbell said. "This money will continue to add to our travel fund without costing you another penny each time you reload your card at Kroger."

Campbell said the travel funds are used to take student to El Salvador to work on housing projects during the weeklong spring intersession.

Checks should be made payable to Purcell Marian High School and may be picked up in Campbell's office at the school.

"This is a simple program and our students will be able to have new life experiences and memories that will last forever," Campbell said.