The Grand Prairie Independent School District held its kickoff event on Oct. 14. Over 500 people in attendance saw groups from each of the 18 area elementary schools perform the “Six Pillar Shuffle”; the middle school band also performed. Speakers included the mayor, the city manager, a student counselor and fourth-grader Tristan Brower, who delivered an original speech on the importance of character. The high school cheerleading teams wrote character-related routines for the occasion, which they performed between speeches. Pledge cards were distributed to give citizens a chance to show their support.

In Farmer’s Branch, a middle school football practice was interrupted when a balloon with a note attached fell from the sky. The message these football players received from the heavens? "CHARACTER COUNTS! at Lee Middle School." Students who had been singled out for their exceptional character during CC! Week launched the balloon, along with many others that landed in yards around town. The week began at Lee with a “Pillar Party,” at which students decorated their classroom doors to represent the Six Pillars. Throughout the week, students wore ribbons with the colors of the various Pillars, heard quotes about character each morning, and read similar quotes on a scrolling sign in the cafeteria.