Character counts

Recognizing the People that Make Our Community Wonderful

Since 2001, the Barrington Junior’s Women’s Club has proudly supported the Character Counts! program in the Barrington Area. The goal of this program is to recognize outstanding individuals in the Barrington Community.  Each year, it is our mission to highlight those who exemplify the “Six Pillars” of Character:

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING, TRUSTWORTHINESS, CITIZENSHIP

These awards have been offered to people who are not often in the limelight.  A unique act of kindness, a track record of dedication, a history of responsibility, equitability, thoughtfulness and/or respect may exemplify their character.   Past recipients of the Character Counts! Awards have ranged from students and coaches to owners and employees of local businesses, community volunteers, and friends and neighbors.

All nominees are welcomed and considered; however, to receive an award they must reside or work in the Barrington 220 School District area and have two available references.

2025 CHARACTER COUNTS!

BJWC Co-Chairs: KRISTIN BAUMANN & NICOLE ARNOLD

Respect: sue papierniak

caring: Karen Tischhauser

citizenship: brian long

responsibility: becky leider

caring: Virginia (ginny) sweeney

2022 CHARACTER COUNTS!

BJWC Co-Chairs, Dionne Boulos & Melinda McElroy

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 CHARACTER COUNTS AWARD RECIPIENTS!

JIM BARTLETT - CITIZENSHIP, STEPHANIE BRUDVIK - CITIZENSHIP, TOM BURNS - CITIZENSHIP, WILLIAM “MR. BILL” GROSS - CARING, MARY HOWARD - CITIZENSHIP, LIZ KIRCHHOFF-CITIZENSHIP, KATHY KNUTH- RESPONSIBILITY, TY LAGONI- CITIZENSHIP, DR. JULIANA PARRY - CARING, FABIOLA PENA - RESPONSIBILITY, GEORGE PEIRCE -CARING, DAWN UNGER - CARING, and BETSY WINTRINGER - CARING

PAST YEARS CHARACTER COUNTS!

Congratulations to the 2021 Winners:

Sil Aprati - Caring
Annette Baird - Citizenship
Claudia Gerrard - Caring
Wendy Farley - Citizenship
Jo Fischer - Caring
Patricia Hogan - Responsibility
Margaret Karolyi - Citizenship
Allison Schultz - Citizenship

2020 Character Counts!

BJWC CO-CHAIRS, Jen Hopwood & Emily Kerous

Congratulations to the 2020 Winners:

Barb Lauro, Caring Pillar

Jen Magdalener, Caring Pillar

Jennifer Lucas, Responsibility Pillar

Jessica Green, Respect Pillar

Mary Sander and Sandy Hasse, Citizenship Pillar

Helen Lodowsky, Citizenship Pillar

2019 Character Counts!

BJWC CO-CHAIRs, AMBER BEEMAN & Carla Murphey

Congratulations to the 2019 winners:

Christie Shoemacher, Trustworthiness

Kent Hengels, Caring

Kate Mills, Responsibility

Susan Nightengale-Kudia, Citizenship

Carolyne Osterheus, Caring

Max Lewis, Caring

Shandra Nosal, Respect

Joan Pagliai, Caring

Sayra Stom, Caring

Sue Boberg, Caring

For testimonials shared at the Character Counts! Awards ceremony, click here!

Nomination Timeline

February 5, 2025 - Nominations open

March 1, 2025 - Nominations Close

March 21, 2025 - Honorees Notified

April 28, 2025 - Award Ceremony @ Village Hall