The J.O. Combs Unified School District continues to partner with Banner Ironwood Medical Center to administer the Student of the Month program.

The program provides an opportunity each month for one student from each of the district's seven schools to be recognized for demonstrating one of the various pillars of the Character Counts program. One character trait is selected each month and students are selected by their principal or teacher, according to a release.

Traits included in the Character Counts Program include responsibility, trustworthiness, citizenship, caring, respect and fairness. For the month of December, students were recognized for demonstrating the character trait of caring.

Selected students are celebrated for their achievement with a certificate of recognition at the Governing Board meeting each month where they are acknowledged by Superintendent Dr. Greg Wyman, the Governing Board, and a Banner Ironwood Medical Center representative.

The Students of the Month for December included:

• Kate Lucas, Combs High School, 11th gradeEmily R. Paquette, Combs Middle School, seventh grade
• Tabitha Chapman, Combs Traditional Academy, fourth grade (not pictured)
• Savanna L. Foster, Ellsworth Elementary School, fifth grade
• Savannah Hord, Harmon Elementary School, third grade
• Khloee Hammann, Ranch Elementary School, second grade
• John Whitfield, Simonton Elementary School, preschool (not pictured)

Also pictured is Superintendent Dr. Greg Wyman, members of the Governing Board, and Banner Ironwood Medical Center Perioperative Director Dee Whittington.

For more information about the J.O. Combs Unified School District, go to jocombs.org or call 480-987-5300.