Self esteem (character education) has been a cornerstone, the Rockcastle County Cooperative Extension Service as educational lesson plans are introduced into public and private schools and after school groups. The six pillars of character education: trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, caring, fairness and citizenship have enhanced the positive growth in self esteem of each class and classroom individual in Rockcastle County. One of the great benefits realized each year are teacher’s requests for the lesson plans to be taught to their new class of students. One student upon graduation said, “The after school educational violence avoidance program kept me from falling through the cracks.” Over 350 youth each reap life skills from the character education programs. Positive growth and development is recognized through student mannerisms.