Meet the 2017 Iowa Character Award recipients

The Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.  Since 2005, we have recognized more than 100 Iowans for showing good character. Click here to learn more about this year’s recipients!

Congratulations to the 2017 Iowa Character Award recipients:

Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award
Jackson Fink (Des Moines)

Citizen of Character
Jack Eherenman (Waterloo)
Jeevanjot “JJ” Kapur (West Des Moines)

Honorable Mentions: Anna Curiel (Albia), Dayna Dunnwald (West Des Moines), Anthony Howland (Davenport), Mary Baumhover (Carroll)

Business/Organization of Character
Dress for Success Des Moines

Honorable Mention: Drew’s Crew (Waukee), Animal Lifeline of Iowa (Carlisle), Youth Justice Initiative (West Des Moines)

Character Champion
Dr. Bill Watson (Urbandale)

Community of Character
Urbandale

Educator of Character
Dwight Beyer (Lynnville)

Honorable Mention: Kevin Brasser (Paullina), Todd Pettit (Urbandale)

Partner of the Year
Register Media (Des Moines)

Pursuing Victory with Honor
Granny Basketball (Lansing)

School of Character
North Ridge Elementary (Grimes) 

Student Team/Organization of Character
Stick-to-It 4-H Club (Sigourney)

Honorable Mention: Nevada High School FFA (Nevada)

Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award
Joy C. Corning