(Altoona, Iowa; Radio Iowa) – An organization and a school in Atlantic are among the winners set to be recognized next month, in Ankeny. Individual Iowans and organizations that display the six pillars of good character are being honored at the annual Iowa Character Awards. Des Moines is the global headquarters for Character Counts. Hilary Ortman, spokeswoman for the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, says the goal is to develop ethical leaders throughout the world while strengthening lives and transforming communities. “We are really honored to annually recognize deserving recipients from across the state in a variety of categories,” Ortman says, “including youth and adults, citizen of character, educator of character, school, athletic team, business, organization, community, and really bring to the forefront the importance of good character and the impact it makes on Iowa.”

The six pillars are: Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Respect and Responsibility. Ortman says the Iowa State University football team is this year’s winner of the Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award. “They bring together kids with disabilities and help them live out their dreams by competing in drills and scoring touchdowns on the Iowa State football field,” she says. “It encompasses their whole department. They bring together the Iowa State Marching Band, the cheerleaders, the Spirit Squad participates as well, to make it a special moment for so many kids and families across the state.”

Other winners include:

Business/Organization of Character: Southwest Iowa Planning Council (Atlantic)

Adult Citizen of Character: Luanne Kustra (Carroll)

Youth Citizen of Character: Katie Hernandez (Des Moines)

Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award: Zackry Brennan (Belmond)

Educator of Character: Andrew Genz (Louisa-Muscatine CSD)

School of Character: Schuler Elementary (Atlantic)

Student Organization of Character: Fairfield Student Council (Fairfield CSD)

Community of Character: Bondurant

Partner of the Year: Iowa Farm Bureau

Character Champion: Renee Murphy (Ankeny)

The awards ceremony is set for July 29th at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona.