UNITED WAY OF MARTIN COUNTY || MARTIN VOLUNTEERS || CHARACTER COUNTS! || FOUNDATION || TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY

CHARACTER COUNTS!

Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards
Academic year 2008-09

CHARACTER COUNTS!, a program of United Way of Martin County, recently presented the Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards, which honor middle and high school students whose lives demonstrate an enduring commitment to good character.

The annual awards are named after the late Joe Kordick, founding chairman of CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County, who left a legacy to sponsor the awards. Last year, Toyota of Stuart came aboard as the presenting sponsor of the event, joining annual sponsors the Kordick Estate; Kramer, Sopko & Levenstein PA; and Proctor, Crook & Crowder Inc.

Here are the award recipients for the 2007-08 academic year:

  • Lindsay Hoffman and Leticia Lopez from Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School.

  • Nadia Bhagudas and Panida Charnvitayapong from Hidden Oaks Middle School.

  • Maria Gonzalez and Christian McKnight from Indiantown Middle School.

  • Richard Simonson and Courtland Thomas from Murray Middle School.

  • Juan Colmenares and Brendan O’Connor from Stuart Middle School.

  • Liam Lloyd from Clark Advanced Learning Center.

  • Nancy Maloch from Jensen Beach High School.

  • Chelsea Schaffer from Martin County High School.

  • Winston McAdoo and Cecily Ramos from South Fork High School.

  • Jonathan Jared Taws from Stuart Community High School.

Click here to read essays > >

During an awards presentation Jan. 30, the 10 eighth-graders each received a $1,000 savings bond, and the six high school seniors each received a $2,000 check.

The awards recognize those students whose lives and achievements demonstrate an enduring commitment to the “Six Pillars of Character” — Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship – and who also demonstrate any and all of the following qualities:

  • Uncompromising integrity and courage shown by a willingness to do the right thing despite social pressures or personal risk.

  • Generosity of spirit and willingness for self-sacrifice in devotion to helping others.

  • Community service in working for the common good.

  • Perseverance and inner strength to overcome physical, financial or other difficulties.

To read the students’ essays and learn more about CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards, please visit www.charactercounts.net or contact Holly Laiben, (772) 283-4800, ext. 234, or hlaiben@unitedwaymartincounty.org.

Sponsors

Estate of Joe Kordick

Kramer, Sopko & Levenstein PA

Proctor, Crook & Crowder Inc.