News Summary
The 26th annual Celebration of Character event in Aiken recognized over 200 students for their exemplary character traits. Mayor Teddy Milner and local leaders honored students while emphasizing the importance of character development. The ceremony, attended by 700 people, showcased performances and acknowledged the contributions of families in nurturing positive character among youth. This milestone event continues to foster a culture of character education within the community.
Aiken celebrated the importance of character in youth during its 26th annual Celebration of Character event, held on May 10, 2025. The event recognized over 200 students from local public and private schools for demonstrating positive character traits and drew approximately 700 attendees at St. Angela’s Hall, located at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School. Sponsored by the Joint Women’s Clubs of Aiken, the occasion serves to honor the contributions of local youth and the influence of their families.
During the ceremony, students were presented with certificates acknowledging their achievements. Always a highlight, Aiken Mayor Teddy Milner participated by presenting the awards, while Corey Murphy, the superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools, spoke about the significance of character in shaping the lives of young individuals. City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh encouraged the honored students to carry their character traits into adulthood, emphasizing their benefits to both personal growth and community development.
In a celebratory atmosphere, the event featured performances from the AAA Homeschool Band, under the direction of Barb Rollins. A notable moment included the presence of Lee Cavanaugh, widow of former Aiken Mayor Fred Cavanaugh, who initiated the Character First Initiative in 1999. This initiative laid the groundwork for the character recognition program currently in place.
The honored character traits spanned a range of qualities, including sincerity, respect, self-control, responsibility, attentiveness, loyalty, courage, citizenship, truthfulness, patience, compassion, and forgiveness. This year marked a special milestone, as it was the first time students whose parents had previously received similar awards were recognized, emphasizing the role families play in fostering good character.
As part of the recognition process, each student received a letter of recognition from their nominators, which included teachers and guidance counselors, detailing how they exemplified exceptional character. Since the inception of the student recognition program, over 5,000 students have been honored, showcasing the ongoing commitment to character education in Aiken.
Betty Thomason, chair of the Celebration of Character committee, has been involved with the event since it began. Over the years, guest speakers have included notable local figures and community leaders, all contributing to the continued goal of inspiring future leaders within Aiken. The event serves as a reminder of the significance of character traits in the lives of young people and their potential to influence the community positively.
The Celebration of Character event is more than merely a ceremony; it represents the collective effort within the Aiken community to nurture and praise positive character development among its youth. Through this initiative, Aiken strives to foster environments that highlight the significance of character, encouraging students to lead by example in their everyday interactions.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: 2025 Celebration of Character Student Recognition
- Wikipedia: Character Education
- Post and Courier: Hundreds of Students Recognized at Celebration of Character Ceremony
- Google Search: Character Traits in Education
- Post and Courier: Women’s Club Event Honors Aiken’s Students of Character
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Character Education
- Post and Courier: Aiken Students of Character
- Google News: Celebration of Character
