Every Monday morning, Kim Nuxhall asks himself a series of questions:

If not character, why? If not here, where? If not me, who?

The Central Elementary School physical education teacher has made character education his mission.

He wants it to be the community's mission, too. In the last year, with his famous father's support, he started the Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund. This week, he brought in Phillip Vincent, of the Character Development Group in Chapel Hill, N.C., for a two-day meeting that ends today to help the Butler County communities of Fairfield and Fairfield Township develop a community initiative.

Philip Vincent, director of the Character Development Group in Chapel Hill, N.C., tells a story Thursday morning during a two-day character education meeting for Fairfield and Fairfield Township at the Fairfield Pavilion. The Enquirer/GLENN HARTONG

"Character is the one thing we share in the human race,'' Kim Nuxhall said. "People want to be respected and cared about."

After 25 years of teaching and 8,000 students, Nuxhall believes that any problems he's ever had with kids were related to character: "The challenge is how do we get kids to want to do what's right?"

Joe Nuxhall, on hand for the beginning of the meeting, said he wants to make things better for kids, helping them become better citizens.

"There're a lot of them out there with abilities and talents," he said. "Somebody has to show them the way."

The meeting ends today, and Vincent will return in August to guide the community in its plan.

Sue Kiesewetter

Kyle Karches, 18, will receive the Presidential Scholar Award today in Washington and hopes to meet President Bush.

"The president has not released his schedule, so we don't know if we will meet with him," said Karches, a June 3 graduate of St. Xavier High School. "I am excited and overwhelmed to be selected."

His schedule will include a White House ceremony, a tour of the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian, and meetings with congressmen.

Karches' time at St. X was filled with accomplishments. He scored a highest-possible 1600 on the SAT, was a Golden Galaxy Award winner and was student council president. He has worked with Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity and tutored students in Winton Terrace. He plans to attend Notre Dame University to pursue a pre-med degree in biophysics. He is the son of Don and Jane Karches, North Bend.

Allen Howard

Honor society induction

Arthur Kelso, who attends the University of Cincinnati School of Nursing, was inducted into Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society. He also accepted membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society.

The Milford High School graduate is the son of Bob Kelso of Batavia and the son and stepson of Dawn and Harlon Coy of Acton, Ind.

Academic recognition

Jessica Dudash, a junior majoring in speech and language pathology, was inducted into the Radford University, Va., chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, higher education honor society. She is the daughter of Therese and Paul Hovey of Madeira.

Academy appointment

Bradley Davis received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and reports to the Cadet Wing on July 1.

The 2004 Mason High School graduate is son of Wanda and Bob Davis of Mason.

Wins scholarship

Mark Pennella, a recent graduate of Loveland High School, is the recipient of a Freedom Scholarship to attend Northwood University, Midland, Mich. The award provides $5,000 per year with renewal options yearly if criteria is met. Mark, son of Joan and Michael Pennella of Loveland, plans to major in business.

Merit list

Joshua Pragar of Anderson Township has been named to the winter term merit list at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Engineering award

Kevin Carlberg, majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering and business, has been named Outstanding Junior Mechanical Engineering student at Washington University, St. Louis. He is a Princeton High School graduate.

State honors

The state Department of Education, through the Ohio Board of Regents, recognizes the top 1,000 seniors in the state for outstanding academics and ACT score who plan to attend an institute of higher learning in Ohio.

Two from the Northwest Local School District were recipients: Laura Weingartner of Colerain High School, who will attend Miami University and major in secondary science education; and Christopher Rapking of Northwest High School, who will major in journalism at Ohio University.

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