Better Business Bureau builds trust, promotes integrity, and champions what's right for our entire community. By setting and upholding ethical business standards, empowering entrepreneurs with collaboration and education to grow, and providing consumers with a place to discover trustworthy businesses, we have become a catalyst for instilling integrity. We honor businesses that generate a high level of trust among their employees, customers and communities, and recognize future leaders for ethical actions in academics, athletics and service with high school student scholarships. At the high school level, students begin to face ethical decisions that may impact the rest of their lives. They serve as role models whose moral compass not only guides their actions, but also influences those around them. BBB created the Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship to honor ethical students for doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Our program has been awarding scholarships to local San Diego high school students for over 20 years. BBB awarded five scholarships to high school students for their winning essays on “The Importance of Character and Ethics.” which encourages students to share a personal experience about doing the right thing when they face an ethical dilemma. These students are our future workforce. Honoring principles like telling the truth, listening to your moral compass, keeping your word and maintaining respectful actions are crucial for creating a community of well-rounded citizens.