CLOSE The Associated Press looks back at the top stories of 2017 from President Trump's inauguration to the Rohingya refugees to the deaths of notable figures. The Times Square Alliance featured the video at its New Year's Eve celebration in New York. (Jan. 1) AP 
 
 Rickie Fowler (Photo: Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports) 
 
 With all the name calling, Twitter spats and vulgar rants filling our news feeds last year, 2017 saw its fair share of bad manners. 
 
 Despite cheap shots felt around the world and across political aisles, some beacons of hope shined through. On Tuesday, the National League of Junior Cotillions — yes, that same cotillion that may have organized your middle school dances — released its list of the 10 "best-mannered" people in 2017. 
 
 “We believe this year’s student nominations (and our ultimate winners) are a reminder that, whether you are a celebrity, athlete, musician, or politician, America’s young people are watching and they do value character," National League of Junior Cotillions President Charles Winters said in a statement to USA TODAY, calling this year's recipients' contributions "positive, uplifting, and honorary." 
 
 At the top of the list was golfer Rickie Fowler who displayed "consistently well-mannered conduct both on and off the golf course," the group said. 
 
 More: These 10 people made the biggest impact in entertainment this year 
 
 Related: And the most Googled of 2017 is ... 
 
 Notching top-five finishes at the U.S Open and PGA Championship and winning the Honda Classic and Hero World Challenge, Fowler also took time for his fans in 2017. In December, he posted a photo on Instagram after playing a round of golf with a man who died just days later after a fight with pancreatic cancer. 
 
 Fowler also earned the praise of golf peers, like Jordan Speith, who called him "one of the nicest human beings in the world," ESPN reported. 
 
 Fowler was joined by: 
 
 Rickie Fowler Aly Raisman Deshaun Watson Joanna Gaines Sadie Robertson David Beckham Selena Gomez Thomas Rhett Matt Kuchar Meghan Markle 
 
 Winning the second spot, three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman showed "dignity and courage" in 2017 after she said that she, too, was sexually abused by Larry Nassar, former USA Gymnastics' team physician. 
 
 Raisman became the second Fierce Five member to come forward against Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in prison on child pornography charges and awaits sentencing on sexual assault charges. Teammate McKayla Maroney also said in 2017 that Nassar sexually abused her. 
 
 Aly Raisman says she, too, was abused by USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. (Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports) 
 
 Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson ranked third on cotillion's list for his Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The NFL rookie not only donated his first paycheck to stadium employees affected by the storm, he also paid to furnish 176 homes being rebuilt due to the damage. 
 
 The list rounded off with HGTV's Fixer Upper host Joanna Gaines, A&E's Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson, soccer player David Beckham, pop singer Selena Gomez, country musician Thomas Rhett, golfer Matt Kuchar and actress/soon-to-be British royal family member Meghan Markle. 
 
 The National League of Junior Cotillions announces the honors each year after students and directors nationwide nominate people with "commitment to honor, dignity, and mannerly conduct." 
 
 Follow Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2lJvmfn 

 “The selections are made based on each person’s commitment to honor, dignity, and mannerly conduct,” says President Charles Winters. “We feel these ten individuals have distinguished themselves through excellence of character and conduct and applaud them for their contributions to society.” 
 
 The top “Ten Best-Mannered” are: 
 
 1. Simone Biles – A gymnast serving as an excellent role model for today’s youth. 
 
 2. Matt Damon – for being a perfect gentleman who treats everyone with respect, regardless of their fame or social standing, and shows kindness to all. 
 
 3. Rory McIlroy – for displaying exemplary sportsmanship, taking the time to engage with his fans, and treating his fellow golfers with nothing but dignity and kindness. 
 
 4. Missy Franklin – for her grace in the spotlight and accepting both victory and defeat with elegance and poise. 
 
 5. Chris Wallace – for his tact and diplomacy while reporting and mediating during the 2016 election season and throughout his years in journalism. 
 
 6. Ben Carson – for displaying his humility in success as both a pediatric neurosurgeon and political advocate and depicting himself as an upright and dignified individual to all. 
 
 7. Christine Caine – for passionately sharing her desire to help readers achieve a life of peace and happiness through faith. 
 
 8. Pat Head Summitt – for exemplifying all the traits of noble character that Junior Cotillion teaches throughout her career as the winningest coach in all of basketball history and for her dedication to building character in her players and teaching them grace, honor, and dignity. 
 
 9. Harrison Smith – for being known as the NFL’s most anonymous star and an example of great sportsmanship. Smith is a former Junior Cotillion student in the Knoxville Chapter under the direction of Mindy Coulter. 
 
 10. Sasha and Malia Obama – for their consistent, well-mannered conduct in the public eye. 
 
 Cotillion students and directors nationwide nominate individuals for the “Ten Best-Mannered People” award each year. 
 
 The National League of Junior Cotillions (1-800-633-7947) is headquartered in Charlotte, NC and has licensed chapters throughout the United States. It hosts the popular cotillion website and etiquette blog (www.nljc.com). 
 
 NOTE: To schedule an interview with Charles Winters, NLJC President, phone (704) 867-3167, or email: [email protected]
– Athletes are usually known for their strength and speed, but three big names can also add "politeness" to their CVs. The National League of Junior Cotillions, a group that trains kids in ballroom dancing (as well as to "act and learn to treat others with honor, dignity, and respect for better relationships," per its website), has released its annual list of the "best-mannered" celebrities in 2017. The person who would most earn Miss Manners' nod of approval: pro golfer Rickie Fowler, who showed "consistently well-mannered conduct both on and off the golf course," the NLJC said in a statement to USA Today. "We believe this year's student nominations (and our ultimate winners) are a reminder that, whether you are a celebrity, athlete, musician, or politician, America's young people are watching and they do value character." Last year's top spot went to gymnast Simone Biles. Rounding out the top 10 this year, in addition to Fowler: