I continue to be amazed at the excellence woven into the fabric of our schools.  As my contact with our school system here in Hoisington expands, I have been able to see some of the thoughts, plans and processes of education in action.  I wish every parent and citizen could experience this with me.  I  honestly expect and hope that what I have seen in Hoisington and want to share with you is a thumbnail sketch of all our Kansas schools.  Excellence is a common pursuit of the people we trust with the management of our children for a large part of their lives.  In any given week, how much time do parents spend with kids as opposed to the amount of time spent with teachers?  We put a huge amount of responsibility and trust on those shoulders-- and everybody knows it.  
I feel inadequate to tell you about yesterday-- but I will try.  
Character Education Partnership(CEP) is a international organization that awarded 315 Promising Practice awards to schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations across the USA, Canada, China, Greece and Mexico.   Hoisington’s program ranked #8 out of 315 awards.  Principal Meg Wilson and Business Teacher Jennifer Steinert went to Washington DC to accept the award at the Character Development Forum.  In todays world, “Character Development” may be the program that saves our country from the ugliness within and destructive evils from without our borders.  
One of the goals of this program is to give students access to some true heroes that demonstrate the attributes of good character.  It happened yesterday at Hoisington High School.  Charles Hagemeister  was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in battle in Viet Nam.  He tricks you into thinking he is a doting grandfather when his eyes are soft while discussing his grandchildren.  His presence turns to steel and his eyes show his strength when he talks about his actions in battle, and the pain is visible when he wishes he could have done more.  He is a “keeper” and not a “owner” of the medal and it is a symbol of all that is right in our military complex.  The Pledge of Allegiance was never more poignant than when we joined him in reciting it.  These fellows are the crucible of excellence in our nation.  His take-away message was “integrity”- which he defined as doing the right thing when nobody is around.  A lot of people have trouble doing that when the world is watching...  It was a wonderful experience and a lifetime gift to be able to hear his program.  He and his buddies certainly make America better, and I am grateful to the teachers at Hoisington High School who gave me the opportunity to hear his presentation.  We were all taller and prouder when he was done.  The lump will not soon leave my throat...  I wish all of you could have been there.

Doc Witt is a retired physician and avid outdoorsmen.