Creating a city of character
By Mallory Sepúlveda
The City of Owasso’s logo boasts, “REAL People. REAL Character. REAL Community,” and in 2002, the Owasso City Council declared an intent to make Owasso a “City of Character.” Though these initiatives seem nice in theory, it doesn’t seem like anything the city could do would have much of an impact on the character of its individual citizens. However, the Owasso Character Council has implemented multiple measures to support the integrity of the city over decades, and its significance reaches deep into families, businesses and individuals throughout Owasso.
“Many years ago … [Owasso citizens] came together [in] trying to find a way for us to set a high standard for our community,” explains Larry Langford, Character Council president and Director of Owasso Recreation & Culture. “We have five pillars in the community [where] we try to emphasize [character] in those areas—business, faith, government, education and … family.”
Photo of February’s banner at Redbud Park taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
To support character in these pillars, the Council displays a monthly character trait on banners around Owasso, collaborates with schools and businesses, provides tools for families to discuss character at home and hosts an annual fundraising luncheon. They also give out two $5,000 scholarships to graduating seniors each year and meet monthly for a Character Connections meeting.
“We meet once a month at Bailey [Ranch] Golf Club and we talk about character. Whoever wants to come is invited. We just introduce the trait and then we have questions that we talk about at a round table discussion.” Langford adds, “Every time I go, especially when I don’t have time to go [or] I don’t want to go, … something hits me and I learn something that [makes me say,] ‘I’m so glad I came now.’”
Fellow Council member and Owasso Chamber of Commerce President Chelsea Levo Feary also sees the immense impact that the program has had on Owasso citizens.
“It’s comforting to see a lot of the familiar faces around the room that have been involved with this for a very long time … which shows that we feel very loyal and deeply rooted to it,” remarks Feary.
Photo of Larry Langford at the Character Connections meeting taken by Art Haddaway
As City of Owasso employees, both Langford and Feary take the lessons they learn through the Owasso Character Council and apply it to their jobs.
“In the role that I’m serving in now, the character traits have played a great part in … guiding me to serve others in a character driven way,” acknowledges Feary. “The word Discernment comes to mind: … the ability to be able to discern a decision … before saying something out loud or reacting. Wisdom is another trait: the ability to take in great work and actions of others into the sense that we’re making for the future. ”
At Owasso City Hall, each department partakes in weekly meetings to discuss the monthly character trait and learn how to apply it both professionally and personally. Langford emphasizes the power of building a family with the foundation of character.
Langford describes one way to incorporate character at home: “Instead of saying ‘Great job on the A [on an assignment],’ we try to emphasize what character trait that child used to get the A. So ‘You’re so Responsible. [Great job on] your Diligence in making sure that you studied and your Sensitivity to all the things you had to do.’ Instead of us [praising] the outcome, it's [praising] how you get to the outcome.”
Living a life of character is a pursuit that never ends. Some days are easier than others, and each person has their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to each character trait.
Photo of character trait banners at Barnes Elementary taken by Mallory Sepúlveda
“It’s kind of a struggle within your own self to say ‘I’m going to be the best I can be.’ And to me, it’s knowing that you make mistakes.” Langford continues, “[It’s] knowing you strive for the best character you can be, but also [having] some humility to know that we’re not perfect.”
The Owasso Character Council works to inspire citizens to intentionally apply ideals of character to their everyday lives. As Langford says, “Character is subjective,” and each community discussion serves as a space where individuals can share their unique interpretations and learn from others so that they can better apply each trait to their lives.
“Everyone has their own ways of thinking about it,” Langford states. “We know that character is not something you attain. You're not a perfect character; you have character traits you try to get better at.”
Just like the journey to character is continuous, the Owasso Character Council has continually imbued Owasso with the foundations that truly make it a “City of Character.” Each banner on the side of the road reminds us that there is always more that we can strive for.
Feary concludes, “This is going to sound cliche, but character is what you do when no one is looking. If you are pleased with the person you are when no one is looking, then you’re headed in the right direction. If you’re not, then … you have some work to do.”