In addition to being named a New York State School of Character earlier this year, Babylon Memorial Grade School was chosen as a finalist in the national character award program and recently emerged as one of 11 National Schools of Character. The award was bestowed upon the school as a result of a comprehensive application process and is provided through the Character Education Partnership (CEP) organiza­tion based in Washington D.C. According to the organization, this was a record-setting year for the pres­tigious

national awards program. "We received 149 applications from 27 states, the highest number of applica­tions ever, and the strength of the ap­plications surpassed that of any other year," said CEP Executive Director Joe Mazzola.

As a winner, Babylon will receive $20,000 at the 15th Annual National Forum on Character Education to be held Oct. 17 to 19 , in Arlington, Vir­ginia. The funds are to be applied to­ward enhancing the school's program to train and mentor other educators seeking to improve their character edu­cation efforts. "While it has never been our goal to win an award, it is so uplifting for the Grade School community to gain sig­nificant recognition for pursuing char­acter education as a priority. It is our fundamental belief that character mat­ters

and that we can and should help grow character in a school setting," stated Principal Eric Freidman. "I thank the Character Education Partner­ship in Washington, D.C. for getting us started six years ago. We continue on this gratifying journey with pride."