On the first Friday of each month, employees in the housing choice voucher department of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) gather briefly for the passing of the Pillar award. The previous month's winner selects the next recipient and shares the Pillar and the conduct which has earned the co-worker this honor. Over the months, employees have decorated and redecorated the physical pillar passed, adding to the fun. In addition, pictures of staff winners go on the CC! wall for all to see.

"Character does count at AMHA!" said Sherri Scheetz, deputy director/administration of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority.

San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding led a CHARACTER COUNTS! Week celebration at the October 12 Chargers football game. An announcement for CC! Week is featured on the scoreboard during the game’s Field Goal Challenge.

Children and family members of Fort Lewis carried posters and U.S. flags in honor of the Lights on After School remembrance walk in early October. Each child wore a T-shirt and offered a symbolic angel to commemorate the occasion.

Before the walk there was a ceremony for peace and remembrance of teachers, staff, and children of Fort Lewis who have passed away. John Carter and Deborah Shepard offered poems for Miss Tina during the presentation. Ms. Mary Mitchell of Clarkmoor CDC, Mr. Walter Witherspoon of SAS North Fort Teen Center, Tina Thompson of Beachwood Schoolage Center, and Lyndee, a child from module 6, were remembered in a moment of silence. 
 
Special visitors participating in the memorial include Military Police members and, to the delight of the children, an eagle flying overhead.

CHARACTER COUNTS! efforts in Kansas State 4-H were featured on Kansas State University’s daily radio program Agriculture Today. Gary Gerhard, a leader of the statewide 4-H CHARACTER COUNTS! implementation, discussed CC! Week, the Report Card on American Youth, Six Pillars of Character, and the exciting ways 4-H is furthering the character building initiative with radio program host Eric Atkinson.

Listen to the interview segment here.

El Segundo Middle School holds a CHARACTER COUNTS! assembly every six weeks to honor students who exemplify good character. Students in each homeroom nominate one of their peers to receive an award of certificates and treats. Parents, teachers, administrators, and friends attend the awards ceremony.

Five students, a professional association, a government entity and a nonprofit agency were honored at the fifth annual Vision of Character Awards Banquet at Hood College's Whitaker Campus Center in Frederick County. A Character Counts Council reviewed numerous nominations to select this year's honorees.

The awards are a reflection of the year round CC! efforts in Frederick County. This year's organizational winners -- the Bar Association of Frederick County, Frederick County Public Schools, and Volunteer Frederick -- are among the many community supporters of the region's character education efforts. 

Students honored during the CC! Week ceremony speak to the impact of CC! in the community. Walkersville High School senior Emily Monlar told The Frederick News-Post, “The program is significant because it shows you how to interact with your community and peers at school – the respect you show your peers and the service you give to the community. The values are essential later in life…CHARACTER COUNTS! builds the foundation for adulthood.