Middletown High School Senior Honored as Student Hero of Character

Perez Russell, a 12th-grade student at Middletown High School, has been named a Student Hero of Character by the Cincinnati chapter of the Character Council. Perez is one of six students to receive this distinguished honor and is the first student from Middletown High School to achieve this recognition.

Russell was nominated by her peers for being a compassionate leader in her community and for her exemplary character and dedication to making a difference. The Character Council praised her and her fellow honorees for setting outstanding examples of care and compassion, describing them as agents of positive change in their respective communities.

“I am honored and grateful that I won the award for Student Hero of Character,” Russell said. “It reflects me as a person, and the values I have and try to show every day. But I wouldn't be me without the great role models I have around me. So thank you so much for this award and I will continue to grow and be the best version of myself that I can be.” 

As part of this recognition, Russell will be celebrated at the 2025 Heroes of Character, “25 Years of Character” Celebration on April 8, 2025, at the Delta Marriott Hotel in Sharonville. This milestone celebration highlights 25 years of promoting character development across the Greater Cincinnati region.

The Character Council, founded in 2000, is a nonprofit organization serving Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. Its mission is to foster character development in children and adults, providing a foundation for success.

Russell’s achievement highlights the incredible potential of Middletown High School students to inspire and lead. Her dedication to making a positive impact serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others to follow.

For more information about the Character Council, visit www.charactercincinnati.org.