Once again in September 2005, Winners Walk Tall was kicking into gear, bringing adults from many walks of life into classrooms to discuss character with kids.

The CC!-based program, which has operated in Dorchester County since 2000, works simply. Volunteer "character coaches" from fields like banking, real estate, construction and banking, and public service spend 15 minutes each in two classrooms every week discussing the Six Pillars.

These ambassadors from the "real world" makes a deep impression on students, Dorchester County CC! coordinator Laura Weldon told The Daily Banner.

"One of my volunteers, who owns his own business, told me of a discussion he had with his class regarding the type of person he looks for in an employee," Ms. Weldon said. "One of his students was giving him some lip, and he quickly told the young man, ‘Acting that way will never get you a job with my or anybody else's company.' Hearing that kind of message from someone other than mom or dad or a teacher really makes a lot of the students stop and think about their futures."

Ms. Weldon trains the character coaches and provides the materials. She also brings them together three more times during the year to dine, socialize and receive further training.