Iowa Character Awards

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.  Nominations are now open for the 2021 Iowa Character Awards.

If you missed the Iowa Character Awards special on KDSM Fox 17 (Des Moines) or KFXA FOX 28 (Cedar Rapids) you can still watch it here.

2020 Iowa Character Award Recipients and Honorable Mentions

Business/Organization of Character: Grinnell Mutual (Grinnell) 

Honorable Mentions:
Sammons Financial (West Des Moines)
ServePro of Black Hawk County (Waterloo)

Adult Citizen of Character: Bonnie Romine (North English)  

Honorable Mentions:
Louis Fountain (Des Moines)
Kelsay Parrott (Cherokee)

Youth Citizen of Character: Lillie Lamont and Caroline Lang (Vinton-Shellsburg) 

Honorable Mentions:
Madeline Putnam (Decorah)
Anna Janni (Johnston)

Aaron Elierts Community Service Award: Michael De Jong (Montezuma)

Educator of Character:  Don Anderson (Belle Plaine) 

Honorable Mentions:
Tara Zehr (Newton Community Schools WEST Academy, Newton)
Jason Lang (Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls)

Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award: Madrid Cross Country

Honorable Mentions:
Cedar Falls Bowling (Cedar Falls)

School of Character: Perry High School (Perry) 

Student Organization of Character: East High Army JROTC (Waterloo) 

Honorable Mentions:
St. Joseph’s 8^th Grade Class (DeWitt)
Best Buddies (Iowa City)

Community of Character: Storm Lake 

Partner of the Year: Bankers Trust 

Character Champion: Steve Rohrer, Norwalk

Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character: Nancy Tychsen, West Des Moines

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The 2020 Iowa Character Awards are presented by:  

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