Whittier Elementary School, which in October 2004 gave a presentation that earned a standing ovation from the JI Board of Governors, is one of 18 finalists in the Character Education Partnership's (CEP) National Schools of Character program. It will receive the award in October, 2005, at the CEP's National Forum in Atlanta.

"We consider this quite an honor," says counselor Heather Quill.

"Our program continues to be blessed daily with small miracles from everyday heroes," she said in May 2005. "Just last week a young soldier arrived at our school a few short weeks after being badly injured in a roadside bombing in Tikrit. His left arm is quite damaged from shrapnel and he has shrapnel lodged in his back and legs. Yet he arrived stateside and traveled to the class of second graders who have been writing to him. They had many questions about the 'bad' people who did this. The entire world should have heard his brave and open-minded replies. He spoke to the class about understanding the perspective of others and that people are not bad or wrong; they need help in understanding each others points of view and communicating without violence. A lesson these second graders are sure to remember all of their lives!"

She also describes a very interesting program in which kids and soldiers interact and reinforce each other. In February 2005, she says, "We heard from a group of young soldiers in the 114th Signal Battalion. They had heard about what we were doing and wanted to give back to our school. Their morale was low. One had been injured in Korea, and many were hurt by the portrayal of military in the media. These young men did not see themselves as heroes. Their sergeant came to school and we developed a plan to support our kids and his (:))! The soldiers have been coming to recess to act as role models and develop character RIGHT ON THE PLAYGROUND! We have approximately 130 kids per grade, so recess is huge. Many conflicts develop and it can be difficult for our staff to intervene with each incident in the manner we would like. (We believe in talking things out with all parties involved and developing strategies for positive interaction.) I'm not sure who has a better time at recess, the soldiers or the kids! Kids can't wait for "soldier" days, and the soldiers brag that everyone comes down to their shop to see the cards and letters the kids bestow upon them each week.

"Character education continues in every aspect of our lives. As I told my staff, no award could truly reflect the excellence demonstrated in our school each day."