The third annual CHARACTER COUNTS! Recognition Award Ceremony was held Saturday, May 5th at the Round Lake Area Park District Ranger Station. Over 100 people attended and cheered on the award winners. A special thanks goes out to all of the volunteers who helped make this a great event - Chief Keith Kalodimos and his rangers, Kathy Metzler, and Nanci Radford, Tom Finnegan, Connie Kraly, Heidi Wodrich, Clarese Ornstein, Tony Finan, Sue Thompson, Cindy Heaster, Nanci Stedl, Shawn Tiani, Lynn Ogden, Carole Shook, Sue Lomo, Heather Brown and Josephine Przysiezny. Listed below are the award winners for 2007:

Ruthanne Persky - Retiring teacher who has constantly demonstrated generosity and caring throughout her career.

Dan Starzynski - Retiring teacher who has given outstanding service to not only his students but to parents and fellow staff members.

Paul Flatley - Principal that has lead by example and perseverance and positively influenced students, parents, community, and his staff.

Shahran Spears - Principal who has used CHARACTER COUNTS! to teach and motivate her students with great results.

Beach Elementary School PTO - Caring approach to students that goes above the traditional call of duty

Ellis Student Council - Has made a positive impact for many others with their ongoing community service projects.

EEC PTO - The co-chairs demonstrated tremendous commitment and dedication to ensure enrichment activities for the students at the EEC.

Village of Round Lake Beach - Continuous support of CHARACTER COUNTS! highlighted by painting CHARACTER COUNTS! on their new water tower.

Ace Hardware - Ongoing support of all community projects especially offering to be a staging center in case of a community emergency.

The Pizza Place - Unselfish commitment to school and community projects especially the CHARACTER COUNTS! chili supper.

Elena Ciolli - EEC student who is compassionate and caring about others

Paige Zielinski - EEC student who is generous and helpful to others

Makayla Golden - EEC student who constantly demonstrates her caring nature for others.

Cassie Hansen - EEC student who has outstanding behavior in the classroom

Dominique Gonzales - Ellis 6th grade student who is President of Student Council and gives 110% to all of her projects.

Hannah Driscoll - 8th grade student who unconditionally gives to others both at school and in the community.

Michael Rosenbaum - 8th grade student who shows extraordinary concern for his fellow students.

Calie Lyons - High School student who leads by example both in her church and at school.

Selena Patton - High School student who has made positive changes in her life this past year.

Michael Dvorak, Tamsin Folkman,John Amrein, Krista Millard, Kristin Moroni, Georgann Vetrano - Band and Chorus teachers who have volunteered year after year to help out with the CC! Chili Supper. and who spend countless hours enriching the life's of their students.

Congratulations to Everyone.

Kathy Myers - Chair of CHARACTER COUNTS!