Hyde Park Student Honored for Leading by Example

By Robin Gee, Hyde Park Editor

There’s a saying, “Not all heroes wear capes,” meaning that there are quiet heroes all around us. They may not leap tall buildings to save the day or overcome tremendous and dangerous odds, but they are heroes all the same. These are the quiet leaders who show us the way through their everyday actions of kindness and character. They are often a calming, steady force in times of chaos. They make us feel supported with just a few words or deeds. 

Last month an organization devoted to encouraging and promoting those qualities of character honored a small number of adults and young people from throughout our area who exhibit those qualities. Each year the Character Council  of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky celebrates “Heroes of Character” at an annual awards dinner. 

Among the honorees for 2026 is Brody Byerly, an eighth grader at St. Mary School in Hyde Park.

His mother, Nicole Byerly, said the honor came as a surprise to her son. When the announcement was made that someone would be honored, he just assumed it would be for one of his friends. Yet, his classmates, teachers, family and friends were not surprised.

“His principal said the opportunity came across her desk, and the first person that came to her mind was Brody,” said Byerly.

It’s a unique and special award, she said. “There are awards for all of these things when you go above and beyond, but let’s just talk about the standard of being a great person, right?…Just to be a good human every day and try your best.”

Brody is known for his steady focus and an attitude beyond his 14-years that keeps him balanced, his mother said and his nominators agreed.

“He stays on track no matter what. That’s always how he is,” said Byerly. “Brody is just wired that way. And I think that’s why his teachers and the principal nominated him for that award, which is really cool.”

Healthy habits and the right attitude

Being 14 is a challenge. It’s a difficult age. Students are restless. With high school on the horizon, and changes happening all around them, it’s tempting for students in their last year of middle school to get a bit of “senioritis,” to slack off a bit,  said Byerly. Yet, Brody has remained focused on his studies and school life, completing his assignments and showing up for school activities. 

Brody is one of only four students chosen to serve as an ambassador for the school when new families come to tour. He’s active in several sports and even ran for student council. He lost to a friend, but took it in stride and chalked it up as an experience, Byerly said. 

“He doesn’t let all the little things bother him. He opens the door, holds the door open, says please, thank you. Just those things that are really good but sometimes hard to find in this day and age. What shines is that he’s always ready and willing to help,” she added.

An example of Brody’s attitude is how he thinks about his commitments to himself and others, Byerly said. 

In a class of about 45 students, only 15 or 16 are boys. Since it was their last year, the boys decided to all go out for volleyball together, and so all are on the team, Byerly explained. Only six players play in each game. When she suggested to Brody he could miss a few games, he insisted he would be at every game as part of his commitment to the team.

Byerly said Brody loves playing any sport but it is golf that is his true passion.

“He loves to play golf, and even that’s a very mental game. It’s about staying focused and not letting all of the other distractions distract you… He’s been playing golf since he could walk…He was on the St Mary’s golf team this last year. They did really well. They won the middle school open…that’s his true passion,” she said.

The Byerly family, which also includes Brody’s younger sister Scarlet and dad Shawn, have adopted a mindset of “positive growth,” said Nicole Byerly. 

“That’s what we always talk about here in our house. You wake up and you have tests and things that you don’t want to do today. We all have things that we don’t want to do today, but, you know, we woke up first of all, right? And we’re here and we were given this day…okay, so let’s focus on positives.”

Congratulations to Brody, who celebrated his award with his family, friends, teachers and administrators. 

Character Council of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Michael and Pamela Daly founded the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky in 2000. Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz served as the council’s spokesperson in its early years, and Mary Andres Russell is the board chair.

The organization is devoted to fostering character development in both children and adults. They do this through workplace training, lessons and activities for children, digital and book resources. They partner with businesses, schools, faith organizations, community groups and others to help create a culture of character.

The organization has identified 36 qualities of character that can be used in monthly school and workplace programming. A few of the qualities include authenticity, flexibility, generosity, gratefulness, honesty, kindness, resilience and respect. The council lists each of the 36 on their website along with resources available to explore and teach each.

The organization is a resource for the State and National Schools of Character Recognition Program, and provides workshops, seminars, training and other resources for businesses. 

While adults selected for Heroes of Character are often those who have been involved in charitable giving and programs, young heroes are often children who have shown qualities of character in their daily lives, said Susan Mitchell, co-chair of the Heroes of Character event. 

To learn more or get involved, you can sign up for their monthly bulletins on the website at charactercincinnati.org.