Whiz Kid: Student Lands Character Award

Great example. Responsible. Positive attitude.

These are just a few of the words  teacher Tim Harris uses to describe his former student Megan Kill.

And because of Harris’ nomination, last week, Megan, 12, was one of eight area residents to be a recipient of the Character Counts! Coalition of Oswego and Montgomery Person of Character awards.

“It made me feel good that my teacher thought so nice of me,” Megan said.

The nonprofit Character Counts! Coalition of Montgomery and Oswego was created in 2003 by a group of community members who thought building good character was instrumental to raising responsible citizens and to educate and recognize good character in the area, according to theorganization’s website.

Megan received the Youth Citizenship award.

While a fifth-grader at Lakewood Creek, Megan was involved with safety patrol, and helped to make sure kindergartners connected safely with their parents after school. A member of at Lakewood Creek’s Character Counts! Club, Megan also participated in the group’s trip to a nursing home to play games with the elderly, as well as performed skits for the kindergarten classes at school.

But one of Megan’s most impressive attributes, according to Harris, “is her positive attitude towards everything.”

“I cannot remember a day that Megan came to school with anything less than a smile on her face and an attitude ready to attack any challenge that stood in her way,” he said in his nomination letter. “This great attitude carries on throughout the day, whether doing a fun activity with a younger class, or taking a Social Studies test. All of these were done with great effort and a smile on her face!”

Now a student at Traughber Junior High School, Megan is continuing her enthusiasm for service by participating as a member of the student council. 

She especially enjoys working with little kids and hopes to be a teacher one day.

With two younger sisters, Megan is getting a jumpstart on working with children.

“She helps out a lot with them and does chores around the house,” said Megan’s mother, Chris Kill.

Last year, Megan said she used to help her young sisters make sure their clothes matched, and now, “if they let me, I help them with their homework.”

Harris is proud of his former student.

“Megan was a great example to all her classmates and younger students as well,” he said.