Danielle Nicole Costanzo
St. Julian Catholic School
Pineville, Kentucky

Danielle Nicole Costanzo is an 11-year-old student at St. Julian Catholic School in Pineville, Kentucky. She participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won a Seattle Seahawks T-shirt.

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 she felt upon learning about the September 11th attacks, Danielle said that she couldn't believe it. Danielle's parents and school both talked to her about the events of September 11th.

Danielle thinks it's possible for one country to bully another country. According to Danielle, St. Julian Catholic School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence. "The kids would get in a lot of trouble and the parents would have to come to school," she wrote.

Danielle thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and she thinks that it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree. She thinks that there are certain character qualities people need to have to reduce violence: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Courage, Cooperation, and Self Control.

St. Julian Catholic School teaches students about these character qualities by talking with them in religion class. Danielle also personally thinks about and tries to practice these qualities by being nice to everyone.