Pete Domenici: “Many exciting and unique character education programs have taken place over this past year. As important, thousands of…”

“Many exciting and unique character education programs have taken place over this past year. As important, thousands of young people, local and national organizations, schools, parents and citizens have participated in efforts to make their communities aware of the positive benefits of character education. One example is 12-year-old Carrie Beeman from the Roswell, NM Mountain View Middle School. Carrie will be coming to Washington, DC as 1 of 104 young Americans to be recognized for their service to their communities in the national Prudential Spirit of Community youth volunteer awards program. She received a $1,000 for her work in the Chain of Character contest by helping organize and selling 14,000 chain links to raise funds for the local character education efforts in Roswell. By calling businesses and other interested citizens, she helped raise $400 for her school's student council and $2,000 for her town's local Character Counts program. Carrie's effort personifies the great national grassroots movement to support character programs: No matter the age, everyone can participate at the local level to help promote good character in their schools and in their communities.”