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 for the 2020 Iowa Character Awards will open in January, 2020.

Congratulations to the 2019 Iowa Character Award recipients: 

Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award
Ray Cole, Clive

Partner of the Year
Iowa Bankers Association, Johnston

Character Champion
Julie Kopecky, Dallas Center 

Community of Character
Pella

Pursuing Victory with Honor Award
Lynnville-Sully Football Program, Lynnville and Sully

• Honorable Mentions: 
  • Iowa State Football, Ames
  • Madrid High School Boys Cross Country Team, Madrid

Business/Organization of Character
The Job Foundation, Cedar Falls

•  Honorable Mentions:
  • 725 Ministries, Pella
  • Genesis Youth Foundation, Des Moines

Citizen of Character (Adult)
Lois Turnage, Pleasantville

• Honorable Mentions:
  • Molly Schreiber, Dubuque
  • Iieaser Parker-Tatum, Davenport  

Citizen of Character (Youth)
Jordan George, Des Moines

• Honorable Mentions
  • Katie Hearn, Letts
  • Rachel Green, DeWitt

Aaron Eilerts Award
Alicia Kamran, Norwalk

School of Character
Lakewood Elementary, Norwalk

• Honorable Mention:
  • Northwest Junior High, Iowa City

Educator of Character
Corwin (Corky) Stuart, Brooklyn

• Honorable Mention
  • Kristin Schultz, Leighton
  • Barb Tigges, Clive

School Organization of Character
Joyology (Carlisle Community Schools), Carlisle 

• Honorable Mentions:
  • Nevada FFA, Nevada
  • Al Exito, Ottumwa  

The 2019 Iowa Character Awards are presented by:  

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