Over December 2003 and January 2004, teachers at Walker Junior High in the Anaheim Union School District held a CC! essay contest. They announced it every day over the loudspeakers and posted a flier with the writing prompt in every classroom. The prompt was: “What person in your life best displays one or more of the Six Pillars of Character, and why?”

After students submitted their essays, members of the CC! committee met and narrowed down the entries until they found one all agreed deserved first place. It was “My Dad,” by eighth grader Clay Fisher. To read this fine work, go here: http://www.charactercounts.org/doing/Essay.htm