With three school-aged children, Shawna Carlson is eager to support the Characterplus program, which announced Thursday the 12 values to be promoted during the next five years.
"Anything we can do to prevent children from bullying and having low self-esteem, I want to support all I can," Carlson said.
Along with hundreds of other parents, students, educators and community members, Carlson and her children attended the kickoff featuring Scholastics author Jerry Palotta.
Characterplus began last year at Jefferson City High School, and this year will be implemented in 32 schools throughout Cole County and southern Callaway County.