April 08, 2008

Miss Illinois to discuss importance of character

by Eric Welch

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Miss Illinois will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Wednesday, April 9, to discuss the importance of character.

Ashley Hatfield will speak at 7 p.m. in the Student Health Center Auditorium. A reception will immediately follow in the Wall and Grand Lounge in Building I, where participants can speak with Hatfield and receive autographs. The event is free and open to the public.

Hatfield, an SIUC graduate from Anna, will discuss the magnitude of good character and sound decision making in life. She will detail the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Her address is based on one of the causes she supports, Character Counts. It is a national nonprofit organization sponsored by the Josephson Institute Center for Youth Ethics, which promotes non-partisan, non-religious character education. The Character Counts Coalition has more than 900 member organizations in the United States, including National 4-H, Little League Baseball and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Attendees of Hatfield's lecture can donate to another of her platforms, "Breast Cancer – Action, Awareness and Advocacy," to support breast cancer research and awareness.

The Residence Hall Association and University Housing Wall and Grand Complex Council are sponsoring the event.