By Guest Author Dr. Marvin Berkowitz, Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education, University of Missouri-St. Louis

I recently was asked by a college student whether you can still affect one's character development in the college years. I told him that it would likely be a tragedy if his character stayed precisely the same for the rest of his life.

I didn't mean that he currently had "bad" character. I meant that we all can improve and mature throughout our lives and it would be a shame if he did not benefit from experience.

Life experience and general maturation provide the opportunity for continuing growth. In other words, you can teach an old dog new tricks. And those tricks include character.

We learn from watching others. We learn from reflecting on our own experiences or those of others. We learn from self-examination and moral will. We learn by directly being taught. And so on.

I recently heard a moving speech by a leader in the field of character education. He told how he was a thrill-seeker during his adolescence and early adulthood. This included outdoor adventure activities and military service. It was only in a combat situation in Vietnam, when he chose to sacrifice others' lives to potentially end a battle, that he finally started to think about right and wrong, rather than simply seeking thrills and going with the moment. Only at age 28 did he finally integrate a moral compass into his personal life navigation system.

The William T. Grant Foundation, which works to help create a society that values young people and enables them to reach their full potential, has announced its annual William T. Grant Scholars Program competition.

The Scholars Program supports, over a five-year period, promising early career researchers from diverse disciplines whose studies will deepen and broaden the knowledge base on how to make a difference in the lives of young people. Priority research areas focus on the effects of contexts on youth development; improving the systems, organizations, and programs affecting young people; and adults' use of scientific evidence and their views of youth. The foundation focuses on young people ages 8 to 25.

The application deadline is July 1, 2005. Every year, four to six William T. Grant Scholars are selected and receive a $300,000 grant distributed over five years. Awards are made to the applicant's institution.

Find out what parents and teachers can do to deal with the behavioral issues associated with ADD and ADHD. Find out the role meds actually do and don't play from our expert psychiatrist, Dr. Jean Smith-Wooley.

Dr. Smith-Wooley is a board certified general psychiatrist who has been providing mental health care for over 10 years. She attended college at University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Arts in Chemistry. She applied to medical school so that she could pursue a career that would allow her to use her academic strengths in an applied way to help others. She moved to St. Louis, MO to attend medical school at Washington University.

MindOH! is working to spread the word about SAGE, an organization that can help high-school students with global service opportunities!

SAGE's mission is to advance entrepreneurship education and community service-learning across the world, emphasizing ethical business practices, social responsibility, civic engagement and environmental awareness. In accomplishing this mission, one team of high school students from each high school completes real-world projects under the direction and consultation of university students.

Why SAGE?
This program provides an outstanding arena for high school students complete real life business and social ventures to improve their communities. The establishment of a SAGE program at a high school is based on hard work of devoted individuals and organizations that are touched by the SAGE spirit. There is no fee or cost to join the SAGE network.

Where is SAGE?
SAGE is an international program initiated by California State University, Chico, with participation currently of 10 countries: China, Russia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Mexico, South Africa, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and the USA. In the U.S., six states participate: California, Idaho, Kentucky, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Please join us for the USA SAGE Competition and Third Annual SAGE World Cup on August 12-13, 2005 at the Marriott in San Mateo!

How do High Schools Participate?
A team of high school students is organized, and then this group must complete at least one entrepreneurship project and one community service during the academic year. The size of team can be as few as five or six members. SAGE in not a competitor for existing high school business organizations! Rather, SAGE is a new avenue to showcase a high school's innovative projects to a panel of influential leaders and to develop a direct connection to nearby colleges and universities.

What Are Leaders Saying?
"I was completely amazed with what I saw. The creativity and enthusiasm of these young kids was incredible! The CSUC faculty and the SIFE/SAGE mentors deserve a lot of credit for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. I consider myself 'sold' on the benefits of SIFE/SAGE and the work they do with younger students. I look forward to working with them for years to come!"
-- U.S. Congressman Wally A. Herger (California, Second District)

"SAGE is definitely not just another project for high school students. I am in great awe of the great work that the Chico SIFE team produces on a regular basis. We are proud to be associated with your team and look forward to working with you in the future."
Mr. John Gremer, Walgreens Executive, SAGE sponsor