Kyle Bradshaw
Russell County Middle School
Russell Springs, Kentucky

Kyle Bradshaw is a 14-year-old student at Russell County Middle School in Russell Springs, Kentucky. He participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won an Experience Music Project Prize Pack

The Character's Cool Contest was a national contest for middle school students to help stop school violence and to encourage the practice of ethical behavior. Participants completed an online survey about their experiences in the aftermath of Sept 11th, bullying and school violence, and the ethical behavior and character qualities needed to reduce school violence.

When asked about the first emotion he felt upon learning about the September 11th attacks, Kyle thought the attackers were crazy.

Kyle's school both talked to him about the events of September 11th. Kyle thinks it's possible for one country to bully another county. According to Kyle, Russell County Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence such as in school suspension. "If a child is bullying, they spend a day in [suspension]. While they're in there, they have to fill out some questions on behavior to help them understand why they behaved as they did."

Kyle thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and he thinks that it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree. When asked what character qualities he thinks people need to have to reduce violence, Kyle selected Honesty, Respect, Kindness, Love, Patience, and Self Control.

According to Kyle, Russell County Middle School does not teach him about these qualities, but he does try to think about them and practice them by helping other people.

The Character's Cool Contest is not the first contest Kyle has won, he won a coloring contest for a newspaper. Kyle plays sports such as football, basketball and lifting weights. He admires Vince Carter, a basketball player for the Toronto Raptors.

When asked about his school, Kyle wrote, "My school is calm. My favorite teacher is my art teacher, Mrs. Stephens."

If Kyle could travel anywhere, he would go to Hawaii. When he grows up, Kyle wants to be a lawyer. "I like to argue and get my way." If he isn't a lawyer, he would like to be a vet because he likes animals.

Kyle is funny, athletic, unorganized, smart and artistic. His advice to other students about stopping school violence is "Just stay out of other people's business and don't bother anyone. Treat others the way you want to be treated."