Two hundred students from the Minot area of North Dakota attended Character Ethics Day on April 5, 2004. Held at the International Inn in town, the event featured motivational chalk artist Bob Upgren as well as breakout sessions and the Seven Project, a multimedia presentation on character and respect that was a "huge hit," according to Cindy Mau.

“Minot is extremely involved with character, and we’ve been trying to get regional students more involved,” says Ms. Mau, assistant principal at Minot's Jim Hill Middle School. “Our rural schools in parts of the Midwest, at times they’re isolated. What’s wonderful is that kids from smaller rural schools have an opportunity to get together with kids from larger schools.”

She adds, “I believe CHARACTER COUNTS! needs to be powered by students. We want kids to say, ‘If I’m going to be a leader, I have to have character.’ Here, kids can see others involved with character and that inspires them.”

It was the third annual Character Ethics Day. All have been popular, and organizers have capped attendance at 200 to assure quality. But next year they may increase the number to 300.