FORD CITY – Armstrong School District's superintendent and a Kittanning High School junior will speak to members of the General Assembly about the importance of character education at the state capitol's Ryan Legislative Building in Harrisburg on May 2.

The National Character Education Foundation is hosting this event from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday. It is titled the "Students for Good Character Tribute to the Pennsylvania General Assembly."

From the district, Superintendent William Kerr and junior Kathryn Eroh will speak. Kerr will emcee the event. Kathryn Eroh and several other high school students from across Pennsylvania will speak about good character from a teen's perspective, touching on the influences teens are facing in society, according to Robert Stanko, vice president of operations for the National Character Education Foundation.

Kathryn is the daughter of Joyce and Jeff Eroh and a junior at Kittanning Senior High School. She is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad and girls' track and field team. Kathryn is the vice president of student council and next year will be president. After graduation, Kathryn plans for a career in health and physical education.

"The event's goal is to voice our appreciation to the general assembly for their support of character education programs," Stanko said. "We all see the issue that teachers, students and communities are facing. If we don't build a foundation on good character, unfortunately the issues we see in the newspaper -- school violence, school bullying, lack of respect -- are going to be the foundations for our youth," Stanko said.

Kittanning High School student Emily Baum, Kittanning High School Principal Jim Rummel and Kittanning High School teachers Erin Scahill and Deborah Snyder are also traveling to Harrisburg for the character salute.

Seven state representatives, including Speaker of the House John M. Perzel, are also scheduled to address the group about the importance of character education.

The National Character Education Foundation is hoping to make this an annual event, Stanko said. The hour-long program will also give students the chance to meet representatives and senators and tour the capitol building. Pennsylvania Cable Network is tentatively planning to film the event and rebroadcast it at a to-be-determined date.

Armstrong School District has had National Character Education Foundation programs and assemblies in its schools for three years. The district also has a citizenship and character education policy which embeds the ideals of civic responsibility, honesty, sportsmanship and respect into all school classrooms and playing fields.

"We firmly believe in what the National Character Education Foundation is doing to promote integrity, respect and courage in young people," Kerr said. "Teaching students the attributes of a strong character is the highest priority in youth development."