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."