Fauziya Abdul Rab, 17. (Enquirer photo/Ernest Coleman)

Now 17, Fauziya, a junior at McAuley High School in College Hill, "knows the value of life and appreciates the value of education more than the average American student," said her English teacher, Pam Vissing.

Cole Perry, 16, a junior at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, recently completed a mission trip to an orphanage in Mexico, where he did repair work and helped lead a vacation Bible school.

"Whatever the job - no matter how small or how big, he's the kind of person who will get to it and put his best foot forward," said Matt Howe, Cole's youth pastor at Highland Hills Baptist Church.

Fauziya and Cole are among 40 area teens being honored Thursday as Greater Cincinnati YMCA Character Award winners. The teens will be recognized at a sold-out banquet at the Cintas Center at Xavier University.

Character building

The eighth annual program recognizes teens for strengthening their homes, schools and communities through efforts that demonstrate the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

The recognition comes at a time when more junior high and high schools in Greater Cincinnati - and nationally - are adding character-building and community service programs to their curriculum.

"Education isn't just about obtaining information, but about developing character," said Jorge Perez, associate vice president of operations for the Greater Cincinnati YMCA. "Kids involved in service to others are better students, better citizens and better young people."

The current generation of teens is volunteering more than any group of teens in American history, according to Youth Service America in Washington

Studies also show students involved in character building and service learning projects do better academically and are less likely to get involved in self-destructive behaviors.

For Fauziya, one example is her weekly visit with retired Sister of Mercy nuns at the McAuley Convent adjacent to the high school.

"I talk to them and take them outside," she said.

For Cole, it was his work at the orphanage in Mexico.

"We need to use our talents and gifts to make things better for others," he said.

E-mail aguido@fuse.net

Nominations accepted

Nominations are being accepted for next year's Cincinnati YMCA Character Award honorees. To nominate a student, call (513) 362-9622.

Character Award winners

SOUTHWEST OHIO

Amelia High School: Kim Cieslewicz, 16.

Anderson High School: James Phero, 18.

Bishop Fenwick High School: Teddy McCloe, 18.

Bond Hill Academy: Dayona Parish, 14.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy: Jessica Scott, 17.

Glen Este High School: Cory Becknell, 17.

Indian Hill High School: Katherine Krefting, 16.

La Salle High School: Daniel Heister, 18.

Madeira High School: Alex Sears, 15.

McAuley High School: Fauziya Abdul Rab, 17.

Mother of Mercy High School: Elizabeth Riesser, 18.

Oak Hills High School: Tom Boeshart, 16; Jacqueline Ragland, 15.

Princeton Junior High School: Dane Wilson, 13.

Purcell Marian High School: Lizzie Drake, 16.

Roger Bacon High School: Camisha MaGruder, 16; Marvin Reeves Jr., 15; Michael Stentz, 15.

St. Ursula High School: Jamilah McDowell, 14.

St. Xavier High School: Kareem Smith, 16.

Shroder Academy: Mathew Johnson, 15

Summit Country Day: Mark Dato, 15.

Ursuline Academy: Molly Berendt, 17; Chrissy Callan, 16; Sharmi Das, 17.

Walnut Hills High School: Olivia Hamilton, 16; Taj Richardson, 13.

Williamsburg Middle School: Nathan Coonen, 13.

Withrow International High School: Britney Tierra Barnes, 17.

Withrow University High School: Brima Bah, 16; Amber Vaughn, 16.

Woodward Career Technical High School: Camara Wall, 15.

Wyoming High School: Kaia Grant, 18; David Henkel, 16; Katie Magee, 16.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY

Holmes Junior High School: Staci Brown, 13.

Lloyd High School: Kenneth Baker, Jr., 15.

Highlands High School: Cole Perry, 16.

Ryle High School: Matthew Longacre, 16.

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

South Dearborn High School: Melissa Lawrence, 18.