Stacy Hargett
West Carter Middle School
Olive Hill, Kentucky

Stacy Hargett is a 12-year-old student at West Carter Middle School in Olive Hill, Kentucky. She participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won an Experience Music Project Prize Pack. Stacy's essay about stopping school violence also won an honorable mention.

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, Stacy wrote, "I couldn't believe that it happened, especially to America." Stacy's parents and school both talked to her about the events of September 11th.

Stacy thinks it's possible for one country to bully another country, and she's actually seen someone being bullied in her school. West Carter Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence. "My school will punish the child by placing them in ISE, which is a room where all you do all day is sit in a black stall type thing that has a desk, and do your class work, plus extra work," Stacy wrote.

Stacy 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, Tolerance, Love, Patience, and Self Control.

According to Stacy, West Carter Middle School does not teach her about these character qualities, but Stacy does think about and try to practice these character qualities. "I try to act how I would like to be treated," she wrote.

Stacy enjoys softball, basketball, swimming, reading and church. When asked about an adult she looks up to, Stacy wrote, "An adult I really admire a lot is my older cousin Kelli. When she was in school, she was one of the top students in her class. She was also prom queen and homecoming queen of her class. I admire her because I would love to be just like her when she in school: a highly educated and well-respected student."

At West Carter Middle School, Stacy's favorite subject is language arts, and her favorite teacher is Mrs. Rumford. "I like her so much more than my other teachers because she makes learning fun for me, and she kind of tricks you into learning to where you have fun and learn all at the same time," she wrote. For fun, Stacy and her friends go to the gym and practice basketball, go to the field and play softball, or go hang out at church.

If Stacy could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to Africa. "I think it would be so neat to go and see what their lifestyles are like, and just kind of explore the community. I would go and look at all of the different kinds of animals."

When Stacy grows up she wants to be a language arts teacher. "I love to help kids in my class who don't get what we are doing understand, and my favorite subject is language arts."

Stacy is funny, sporty, nice, smart and honest. Her piece of advice to other U.S. students is "If you really want to make a difference, don't ever give up on your dreams and always keep your head high."