CHARACTER COUNTS! in the Barrington Area presented the fourth annual "Six Pillar Awards" in October 2004 to citizens who exemplify the Pillars. According to the Barrington Courier-Review, to date, more than 1,200 people have attended character workshops sponsored by the organization.

The honorees were:

• Trustworthiness: Rafael Zamora, head custodian at Roslyn Road School, who has a rare work ethic and is friendly and caring toward the staff and students.
• Caring: Vicky Wauterlek, who founded Hands of Hope in 1999, a Barrington-based charity that helps women and children in crisis worldwide. She has made a serious difference to people in desperate need.
• Citizenship: Gil Kamm, who has volunteered many hours of work in his retirement, sharing his business knowledge in service to local organizations including the Barrington Area Development Council and Citizens Alliance 220.
• Responsibility: Gloria Dyokas, the front manager at Barrington's Jewel-Osco store for nine years, who has set a positive tone for both employees and shoppers, and shown sincerity and honesty.
• Fairness and Respect: Brian Prodoehl, John Rometty, and Jack O'Toole, the coaches of the Barrington High School boys varsity lacrosse club, who instruct the boys to play fair and show respect for opponents, They also hold themselves to the same standard.