Character Counts - Local

Make-A-Wish celebrated a milestone Monday by granting its 9,000th wish with a trip to the FIFA World Cup for a 12-year-old Phoenix kid, Andres Lopez Pacheco. (Make-A-Wish)

DOUGLAS SANTO

Make-A-Wish Arizona celebrates 9,000th wish, will send Phoenix kid to FIFA World Cup

The Arizona Cardinals and Gridiron Air send off Special Olympics athletes for the Special Olympics USA Games at Sky Harbor International Airport on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ. (Arizona Cardinals)

DOUGLAS SANTO

Cardinals become first professional sports team to fly athletes, coaches to Special Olympics

ERIC MATSUMOTO

Canyon View’s Kaylani Tucker leads teams on the field and in business

BRANDON CADIZ

Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker supports local dog rescue

CHARACTER COUNTS BLOGS

Corona Del Sol’s Aidan Odom passionate about teaching after overcoming difficult upbringing

CHARACTER COUNTS NOMINATIONS

Heritage Academy’s Abby Dirks works hard to be a good example for all

CHARACTER COUNTS - LOCAL

Campo Verde’s Addison Gavigan spreads positivity, overcomes academic adversity

The Latest

AARON SCHMIDT | Oct 17, 2023
ALA Ironwood’s Braxton Henderson impacting community at young age

As a student, business owner and varsity baseball star, ALA Ironwood's Braxton Henderson has had quite the high school experience.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Jan 18, 2022
8th grader maintained school activities through virtual COVID-19 setting

Life in school has been wildly different for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn't stop Hanna Macias during her eighth-grade year.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Jan 11, 2022
Mountain Ridge’s Tegan Bernard helps individuals find strength

Mountain Ridge High School's Tegan Bernard knows that not everyone can be mentored or helped in the same way.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Nov 30, 2021
Scottsdale Prep senior Jay Robertson combines nature and nurture

There are two things 17-year-old Scottsdale Prep senior Jay Robertson loves most in this world: nature and helping people.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Feb 23, 2021
Odyssey Institute’s Dylan Mapston wins Character Counts scholarship

Dylan Mapston, a sophomore from Odyssey Institute in Buckeye, was named the 2020 Character Counts scholarship winner on Monday night.
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TORRENCE DUNHAM | Oct 26, 2020
Tucson high school senior finds new way to help kids amid coronavirus

Abigail Gahr is making a difference in the lives of kids, families and teachers in the new world of virtual communication amid the coronavirus pandemic.
TORRENCE DUNHAM | Dec 2, 2019
Gold medalist figure skater helps send veterans on memorable trip

Seventeen-year-old gold medalist figure skater Lauren Kobley raised $21,000 for Honor Flight Arizona that sent 18 veterans to Washington D.C.
TORRENCE DUNHAM | Nov 25, 2019
Casteel sophomore soccer player uses hands to communicate with buddy

Casteel sophomore Naomi Nyboer can’t use her hands on the soccer field, but she uses them on the sideline to impact the life of an 8-year-old boy.
TOM KUEBEL | Sep 9, 2019
Sandra Day O’Connor basketball player uses faith to fight disease, help others

Sandra Day O'Connor High School senior Oscar Voeller has relied on his family and faith to help him prepare for his senior year.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Mar 8, 2019
Arizona Sports Character Counts scholarship winner announced

The winner of the Arizona Sports Character Counts $10,000 scholarship courtesy of Parker & Sons Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is Adonis Watt.
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TYLER DRAKE | Oct 22, 2018
Veritas Prep tennis player not letting his disability slow him down

For Veritas Prep tennis player Zachary Radack, helping others and being the best person he can be comes second nature.
TYLER DRAKE | Oct 8, 2018
Westwood soccer player aiming to help others beyond state lines

Soccer, gymnastics and swimming can be very demanding, but that isn't stopping Westwood High School junior Montana "Tanna" Gilletti from helping others in -- and out of -- the state of Arizona.
TYLER DRAKE | Sep 24, 2018
Hamilton tennis player uses unique art form to help former teacher’s son

Hamilton high school tennis player Esha Rajadhyaksha is in the business of helping people. Using a unique art form called paper quilling, Rajadhyaksha is helping change lives for the better.
TYLER DRAKE | Sep 10, 2018
Seton Catholic basketball player delivering on and off the court

While Garrett Elkins steady focuses on his mid-range jumper, the power forward is determined on doing something much more impactful. Making sure everyone gets a fair chance to succeed.
TYLER DRAKE | Aug 27, 2018
Peoria Liberty football player determined to get back on the field

Just by looking at him, you probably couldn't tell Liberty senior lineman Zach Hunzinger is battling more than just opposing defenses.
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ZACH PEKALE | Jan 12, 2018
Kurt Warner to honor Shane Doan at game night fundraiser

With their playing days behind them, Kurt Warner and Shane Doan continue to leave a lasting impact on the state of Arizona.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Jan 23, 2017
Horizon’s Kody Huff more than a rising baseball star

Horizon High School's Kody Huff has recently been garnering attention for his work on the baseball field. But he's been making an impact off it for a while.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Jan 17, 2017
Campo Verde’s Kanani Hiapo thrives on volleyball court, in the classroom

Campo Verde High School's Kanani Hiapo grew up in a volleyball family. Her siblings all play it. Her parents both coach it.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Jan 2, 2017
Raymond S. Kellis sophomore Chase Weaver balances leadership roles in sports, church

Whether Raymond S. Kellis High School's Chase Weaver is in the classroom, on the field or at his church, he's realized leadership comes naturally to him.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Dec 19, 2016
Westwood’s Brianna Anderson makes big differences with little actions

Westwood High School's Brianna Anderson hopes she can cause a ripple effect to help others.
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KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Dec 5, 2016
Marcos de Niza kicker Krysten Muir using football success to build up others

Marcos de Niza kicker Krysten Muir overcame the perception of being a girl football player and is now helping others do the same.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Nov 21, 2016
Arcadia High School’s Grant Loftin leads in lacrosse and beyond

Senior Grant Loftin wears many hats but it's clear he ties the experiences from many of them together.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Nov 14, 2016
Williams Field High School junior Lindsay O’Driscoll finds time to help others

Williams Field High School junior Lindsay O'Driscoll takes to her busy schedule with enthusiasm. Above all else, O'Driscoll's passion is helping others.
KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | Oct 24, 2016
Scottsdale Christian’s Christina Clark has dreams, reality of helping others

Scottsdale Christian student Christina Clark has always been willing to help others.
CHARACTER COUNTS | Oct 17, 2016
Golf, piloting and helping others are Brody Burnell’s passions

Talk about having a plan. Pinnacle High School senior Brody Burnell knows he wants to become a pilot for Southwest Airlines.