The boys and girls basketball teams of Mill Valley High School created two role-play scenarios to help kick off May 2005 as Fairness Month. The effort arose from a collaboration between the Pythons Sports Association and De Soto Unified School District 232.

The basketball teams then presented their role plays to some 1,000 students from Prairie Ridge and Clear Creek Elementary Schools. "The high school student athletes did a fantastic job of coming up with their own content and presenting the scenarios," said Brian Hunter, executive director of the Pythons Sports Association.

The skits set forth complex problems and refrained from offering simple answers to them. At the end of each act, athletes asked students for potential solutions. They had an active discussion about how they would resolve the issues. It "was done in a very engaging and often humorous fashion which keep the audience actively participating and enjoying the presentation," said Mr. Hunter. "In the end both the presenters and the audience had a great time and it's hard to determine who benefited more from these terrific performances."

CC! is spreading its wings in Brandon Valley, with the formation of the Brandon Valley CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition in the spring of 2005.

Parent Renee Ullom told the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, "The middle school in Brandon has had CHARACTER COUNTS! for years, but we want to spotlight it on both adults and kids" with the coalition. It will support the Six Pillars throughout Brandon Valley schools and in the community.

"The principal at Valley Springs has used it in former schools and has had wonderful success," said Ms. Ullom.

"We've had a handful of information meetings attended by a small group of people, but as we get back to the school year, the group will gain traction," parent Mike Klumpp said.

Kari Fruechte, statewide CC! project leader, estimated that between half and two-thirds of South Dakota schoolkids get exposure to CC!. "And it's probably closer to two-thirds," she said.

In May 2005, the Sioux Empire CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition recognized youth and adults at the ninth annual local American Youth Character Awards event. Southwest Optimists helped support the program for the fifth year in a row. Excel Energy donated the monetary prize for each finalist, and Sioux Vocational Services defrayed the cost of the room. To see the names of the honorees, go here: http://www.charactercounts.org/ayca/honorees.htm

Throughout June 2005, Martin County CHARACTER COUNTS! director Terri May is leading character-building activities every week for summer school students at Warfield Elementary School and Indiantown Middle School. Her class aims at academic enrichment for students in one of Martin County's poorest areas.

Guidance counselor Robert Vanover of Indiantown Middle said CHARACTER COUNTS! will help improve academic performance, which has slipped recently. "You have to give them role models and present character in a way that's interesting to them, so that they start to assimilate it," he said. "At this age, they're all searching for who they are."

"This provides a stimulating, safe haven here for the month of June," Ms. May said. "I wish it was for all summer. They really get excited about coming here. The kids are so creative. If you just give them the opportunity and the resources, they can soar."

Patty Serna received the 2005 CHARACTER COUNTS! award, according to the Mt. Airy Messenger. The ceremony took place as part of the 99th Annual Meeting & Dinner of the Frederick County Family YMCA, at Dutch’s Daughter on Tuesday, June 7, 2005.

The Community Character Coalition of Elk Grove held its 2005 Community Youth Celebration in mid-June, and honored kids in elementary, junior high, and high school who promoted CC! through community service. "It was a great event held at the Village Hall and the Council Chambers," said Gary Umlauf. "Our mayor Craig Johnson gave awards to the schools that participated and invited all the students to the Council Chambers for special recognition."

An array of CHARACTER COUNTS! activities is taking place in Community School District 59. They include staff development for teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, parents, and community members, as well as a community breakfast, a community institute for governmental agencies and local businesses, a community planning network, and most importantly, character education in the schools.  With the aid of a grant from the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, the schools have selected books to stimulate discussions of the Six Pillars of Character. People have also developed fine arts activities such as songs, skits, and visual artifacts to support CHARACTER COUNTS! at all grade levels.  In addition, each school has adopted incentives for good behavior.  According to Dr. Stephen F. Midlock, assistant superintendent for instruction, “We did not want to add another thing to an already overcrowded curriculum.  Rather, we sought ways to use CHARACTER COUNTS! to enhance reading, social sciences, and fine arts.  It has become a part of the curriculum, instead of being an add-on.”  To enlist more public support, Birdie Bisceglie (staff developer) and Jane Paterala (junior high principal) have designed and coordinated the display of large CHARACTER COUNTS! banners in each of the district’s 14 schools.