Forty-mile-an-hour winds and freezing temperatures forced Eagle Grove’s CC! Week 2001 rally inside the gym. But the chill outside didn’t damper the enthusiasm of the packed crowd within as they welcomed former Governor Robert D. Ray, chairman of the board for the Institute for Character Development, as keynote speaker.

The rally, the second of its kind in Eagle Grove, began with students waving streamers and doing cheers for the Six Pillars of Character. High school students, paired with those from elementary and middle school, danced on the gym floor to the “Six Pillar Shuffle.”  Essay winners in each building level explained why they believe that CHARACTER COUNTS! Elementary students were featured soloists in “Six Simple Words” and the high school drill team performed to “Character Counts!.”.

Former Governor Ray received a rousing ovation when he took the podium and said, “I always knew I really liked eagles, but now I love them!”  He challenged all students and adults to "say one ‘Thank you,’ or do something nice for someone every day.” Scott Raecker, executive director for the I.C.D., took the stage and challenged the high school students to model good character for all of the younger children.

Eagle Grove Community School is in its third year of integrating the CHARACTER COUNTS! throughout the district.  I.C.D. staff members trained the teaching staff prior to the 1999-00 school year and follow-up trainings have continued.  In the fall of 2001, all office staff, custodians, cooks and bus drivers received training in the CC! framework.