CC! Week 2001 was just a few weeks away at the Alta Vista Elementary School and kindergarten teacher Connie Livingston wanted to show the school’s commitment to character. She knew Teri Lovano, whose husband John was a professional muralist, and whose kids Casey and Cooper attended the school. So she approached them and asked if they could paint a wall of the school. They agreed, and she showed them a sketch on Friday, October 12.

The Lovanos came to school with paint the next day, and completed the mural over two weekends—just before CC! Week. It shows the Six Pillars, with a child atop each one waving a banner with a word like “Respect” and “Fairness.” “Other people have said they want one like it on their school,” says Ms. Livingston. “It’s very basic and simple. We just wanted the Pillars to dominate.”

On Friday, October 26, students gathered in a pre-school ceremony to celebrate the mural, listen to Mayor Greg Hill and Principal Dr. Richard Jordan, and sing songs. In addition, police and firemen set off sirens for the kids, to their delight.

Alta Vista has celebrated character in other ways. Each classroom has a set of Six Pillar posters. “And we did handprints, yellow ones, for every kid in school,” Ms. Livingston says. “In the library, every kid’s hand is on the wall, pledging.”