photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Thirteen students in the Lawrence school district display their certificates recognizing their "Character Strong" achievements, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation this week received a $25,000 check from Envista Federal Credit Union.

The check, presented at Wednesday’s school board meeting, is part of the “KU Wins, Envista Gives” program and was donated as the school district honored 13 student leaders for showcasing positive “Character Strong” traits.

As part of a partnership between Envista, Kansas Athletics and the Lawrence Schools Foundation, Envista has pledged to give $125 for every Kansas Athletics win, no matter the sport. With 171 wins during the school year, a total of $21,375 was raised to help teachers and students from kindergarten to college.

photo by: Courtesy of Envista

The Lawrence Schools Foundation received a $25,000 check from Envista Federal Credit Union at the Wednesday, April 10, 2024, school board meeting.

photo by: Courtesy of Envista

Thirteen students in the Lawrence school district display their certificates recognizing their “Character Strong” achievements, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

“I have always believed that character and integrity form the foundation for virtually all positive attributes that we have as humans, and it can serve as a springboard for future success in life,” said Ron Smeltzer, president and CEO of Envista. “We are honored to have an opportunity tonight to recognize these outstanding young students who are being acknowledged and we are proud to be a part of it.”

The Character Strong program emphasizes the need for community-building in classrooms, predominantly through the nurturing of positive relationships. The program teaches students life skills, focuses on character development, and works to model and instill core values in students starting at early age.

Raising just shy of $25,000, Envista was inspired by the students’ work through the Character Strong program and honored them with the full $25,000, the personal goal they set for their organization at the beginning of 2023.

“This program and partnership has created an incredible impact among our students,” said Dena Johnston, executive director of the Lawrence Schools Foundation. “We are so grateful for our community partnerships that share our mission to provide resources that inspire learning, enrich teaching and enhance opportunities for all students, educators, and staff in Lawrence Public Schools.”

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Attendees at the Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Lawrence school board meeting applaud the student recipients of the “Character Strong” honors.