"There is no better reward than to be honored for your character," Dr. Lyle Ailshie, director of schools, said Friday to the Greeneville City School System's 2008 Character Education Award winners.

The 12 winning students were recognized at a luncheon hosted by the Greeneville City School Foundation at the General Morgan Inn.

The luncheon was attended by an estimated 75 educators, winners and their family members.

The winners are:

* EastView Elementary School -- Mansi Boegemann, daughter of Curt and Heather Boegemann; and James Ricker, son of Steve and Wendee Ricker;

* Hal Henard Elementary School -- Makayla Sauceman, daughter of Ben and Christina Wilson; and Wilton Chapman, son of Wilton and Lisa Chapman;

* Highland Year-Round Elementary School -- Sarah Mitchum, daughter of Neysa Mitchum; and Ethan Holt, son of Johnene Spradlin;

* Tusculum View Elementary School -- Honoka Kawai, daughter of Hirotaka and Ryoko Kawai; and Zac Miller, son of Johnny and Kim Miller;

* Greeneville Middle School -- Candice Rai, daughter of Alwyn and Sheila Rai; and Ben Ogle, son of Craig and Leslie Ogle; and

* Greeneville High School -- Claire Duncan, daughter of Doug and Cathy Duncan; and Drew Thomas, son of Mark and Chris Thomas.

Each winner received $100 for the charity of their choice, and several recipients chose to give to their church, to an animal-rescue organization or to a health care-related charity.

The guest speaker was Erin Collins, 2008 Miss Greene County.

Collins, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 7, is a 2003 graduate of Greeneville High School.

She recalled receiving the Greeneville City School System's Character Award for perseverance.

Collins spoke about her "Three Passions," which are her job working with children at Holston United Methodist Home for Children, competing in pageants, and awareness about diabetes.

She encouraged the students to continue to display good character and to always take the opportunity to help those in need.

Collins, 23, is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and the daughter of Paul and Sharron Collins.

Boegemann chose Feral Friends of Greene County, an organization designed to reduce the local population of wild cats through spaying, neutering and vaccinating.

Ricker chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a national organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Sauceman chose Ronald McDonald House of Knoxville, which provides temporary shelter for families of patients receiving medical treatment. Sauceman said when her cousin was born, her aunt was assisted by Ronald McDonald House.

Chapman chose the First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, which provides groceries, gas and helps pay other expenses for the needy in the community.

Mitchum, Kawai and Mille chose the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society. Both Mitchum and Miller's father, said they had adopted pets from the Humane Society's local animal shelter.

Miller and Kawai did not attend the luncheon, because they were out of town on a school trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. Their awards were accepted by their fathers.

Holt and Thomas both chose Cedar Creek Church of God, with Thomas earmarking his for the church's youth group.

Rai chose St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, because it provides treatment for children, regardless of whether or not their families can afford to pay.

Ogle chose the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of East Tennessee, which helps children affected by the disease, including his sister.

Duncan chose the Greeneville Soccer Association, which she said has helped her develop respect, perseverance, team-building and self-discipline.

Allison Adams, Foundation president, told the award winners, "Character at every age is admirable. We commend you on this award and are delighted to be here to celebrate with you today."