Well-developed characters

Marisa O’Neil

They are pillars of their school community.

More than 100 Ensign Intermediate School students were recognized

by the school and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce for

demonstrating the six pillars of character -- trustworthiness,

fairness, respect, caring, responsibility and citizenship -- in their

everyday lives. It follows through on the district’s focus on

character education.

“These students epitomize what we’re teaching, and that is that

character does count,” said Dave Brooks, Newport-Mesa Unified School

District board trustee. “Success in life has a lot to do with

character.”

This is the first year for the award at Ensign, but hopefully not

the last, said Laurel Zaeske, a chamber of commerce board member.

Teachers, parents and coaches nominated students they felt best

demonstrated the six pillars.

About 100 students received the honors and of those, six earned

additional recognition. Seventh-graders Alex Crawford, Shannon

McClory and Oleny Pimentel and eighth-graders Cory Ames, Rebecca

Brown and Taylor Holden won the special recognition awards.

“Character frames who you are in your everyday life,” Rebecca

said. “Every day, I try to be a friend to all and be responsible.”

Taylor said that she always tries to help out her friends when

they are in need. She is also a fair and trustworthy person, Ensign

counselor Laurie Rybaczyk said.

“Good character makes a happier world to live in,” Taylor said.

The students who won the awards have demonstrated great character,

Rybaczyk said, even in the face of challenges. Most take part in

community service in addition to their school work, she said.

“Character education is so powerful,” she said. “It focuses in on

a student’s sense of integrity. It’s seeing the whole person.”

But besides learning it at school, good character starts at home,

Taylor’s grandmother said.

“[Her award is] a reflection of her parents,” Martha Brewton said.

“The character she has built up, she learned at home.”