(Altoona, Iowa) [Updated 8/4/22] – Recipients of the 2022 Iowa Character Counts Awards were announced and presented with their respective awards during an event held Friday, July 29, 2022, at Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona. The event was sponsored by the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines. Among the recipients, was Schuler Elementary School, in Atlantic, for “School of Character,” and the Southwest Iowa Planning Council, for “Business/Organization of Character.” LuAnn Kustra, of Carroll, won the “Adult Citizen of Character” award.

The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) received the Business of Character Award. SWIPCO provides technical services and administers grants for local projects. The SWIPCO team takes pride in going above and beyond what’s expected to make their communities better places to work, learn, and raise families. When floods ripped through several towns, caused millions of dollars in property damage, and destroyed more than 100 homes, the SWIPCO team jumped to work. The staff worked tirelessly to help the affected communities find resources to rebuild. Hamburg city clerk, Sheryl Owen, said, “When we needed help with residential buyouts and new housing development after the [2019] flooding, SWIPCO was there for us every step of the way.” That’s just one example of the individuals, organizations, and cities who benefit from their diligence, passion, and hard work.

Schuler Elementary received the School of Character Award. Schuler Elementary is part of the Atlantic Community School District in southwest Iowa. Their school serves 4th and 5th-grade students. The students are fortunate to have nearly 30 teachers and staff to guide them on their educational journey. Schuler Elementary values the importance of a strong curriculum that engages students in learning in authentic ways to help them think beyond the classroom. Using CHARACTER COUNTS! to guide them, Schuler Elementary believes that modeling and practicing good character is valuable for staff, students, parents, and the entire community. It is their goal to provide students with the tools they will need to become caring and respectful citizens who are motivated to make a positive impact on the world.

The last two-years, the awards were presented on television, due to COVID. Up next for the winners, is the creation of a video that will air during a one-hour primetime television special this summer or fall on KDSM Fox 17, out of Des Moines. Afterward, the Ray Center team will schedule a hometown visit to honor each award recipient in their own community.

Photo of Schuler Elementary Staff on stage for their award (Principal James Northwick, center) – Photo courtesy of Pat Powers/KQWC Radio

The Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, more than 150 Iowans having been recognized for showing good character.