Michael Hanley
Carl Sandburg Middle School
Levittown, Pennsylvania
Bucks County Courier Times: "Where Character is 'Cool'"

Michael Hanley is a 12-year-old student at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Levittown, Pennsylvania. He participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won an Athletes for a Better World poster.

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.

Michael was in school when he first heard about the September 11th terrorist attacks. "Our principal Dr. Davis told everyone, over the PA system, what had happened. There was a lot of fear in the room, yet I didn't feel any. I was numb with anger, yet at the same time, I felt disgusted. Disgusted that people could get through our security, disgusted that a plane could fly into our pentagon. I had a false sense of security that because we are the United States, we're invincible. I was very, very, wrong."

Michael's parents and school both talked to him about the events of September 11th. Michael thinks it's possible for one country to bully another country, and he's seen someone being bullied in his school. According to Michael, Carl Sandburg Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence. "We have a peer mediation program, in which everyone involved is represented. The mediators help all of the parties come to a reasonable agreement."

Michael thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and he thinks it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree. Character qualities Michael thinks people need to have to reduce violence include Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Courage, Cooperation, Tolerance, Patience, and Self Control.

Carl Sandburg Middle School teaches Michael about these character qualities by upholding school rules. Michael also tries to think about and practice these character qualities. "I try to treat everyone with respect and not bully anyone."

The 2002 Character's Cool Contest is not the first contest Michael has won. "I have won the Thomas Menzies award for having the highest score on the Pennsbury Math Test," Michael wrote. "I have also won the Penn Valley Reading Award for having the highest score on the Iowa standardized tests."

Michael plays football for the Lower Makefield Indians, and wrestles for the Neshaminy Wrestling Club. "I also enjoy basketball, reading, and chess."

Michael looks up to Brian Piccilo, "because he was able to set aside how others acted about race and helped others realize that just because somebody doesn't look exactly like you doesn't mean they're not like you emotionally."

When asked about his school, Michael said Carl Sandburg Middle School is busy. "There are many groups and clubs to be involved in," Michael wrote. "My favorite teachers are Ms. Lennon and Mrs. Gordon. Ms. Lennon is my social studies teacher and Mrs. Gordon is my English teacher. Ms. Lennon is able to teach us the curriculum and then discuss with us about current events, what we learned about in class and how it affects us today. Ms. Lennon also is able to share her insight on things going on around us that helps us deal with that situation. Mrs. Gordon is absolutely honest. If she sees that you haven't put that much effort into your paper or essay or whatever you're doing, she will tell you. When we discuss events and other issues, she will argue both sides allowing us to draw our own opinions and conclusions before letting us know how she stands. Mrs. Gordon is also very funny, as is Ms. Lennon. I hang out with my friends a lot. We usually will play a pick-up game of football or basketball. I like every subject."

If Michael could travel anywhere in the world, he would go to Ireland. "There are so many interesting things to do there. I would like to kiss the Blarney stone, visit Blarney Castle, as well as many others and try to get a feel for what life is like there.

When he grows up, Michael would like to be an attorney, "because I feel the need to bring everyone to justice."

Michael is intelligent, intellectual, athletic, organized and comical. If he could give one piece of advice to other students across the United States about stopping school violence: "It would be to try not to be short-tempered. Calm down and relax, then try to think of peaceful ways to solve your problem or conflict.

Preventing school violence is extremely important. By practicing ethical behavior you are able to learn how to treat others respectfully and how to handle problems peacefully and efficiently."