Chase Mabry
Morgan Selvidge Middle School
Ballwin, Missouri

Read Chase's third place essay: "Stopping School Violence through Ethical Behavior"

Chase Mabry is a 12-year-old student at Morgan Selvidge Middle School in Ballwin, Missouri. He participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and received $175 for winning third place in the essay contest.

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, Chase thought that it was a prank.

"How could something so terrible happen to us? This alarm really woke me up. At first, because of my view, I thought that the whole thing was over and nothing more was to happen. I had no clue of the dangers and fears that were to come. Today, is the four month anniversary of the attack and so I look back to ask why. That is why I turned to God to seek advice.

I asked him for the reason and through my friends and my life occurrences he has answered me. We, as a nation were so spoiled and lucky to live in these states. All Bin Laden did was wake up a sleeping giant. We were so unaware and trusting. I still think that is the way to go, to have an open society. Only if everyone else was as trusting as us. But since, our nation has united and we are now stronger than ever and are still the caring individuals we always were. Long live America, the united land."

Chase's parents and school both talked to him about the events of September 11th. Chase thinks it's possible for one country to bully another country, and he has witnessed someone being bullied in his school. He thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree Chase thinks that there are certain character qualities people need to have to reduce violence: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Courage, Cooperation, Tolerance, Love, Patience, Self Control. According to Chase, Morgan Selvidge Middle School teaches these qualities.

"My school, once a month, which I feel is not enough, very briefly, makes us do a little to learn each of these important traits and qualities," Chase wrote. "My language teacher gives us a vocabulary circle, which, if you don't know, has four sections, on one section you state the definition, on another, you write a sentence that represents the quality, on another, you connect this trait to your life, and in the last one, you write an example of how it can be used, usually in every day life."

Chase thinks about and tries to practice these character qualities: "I do try to practice these traits to improve my life as well as others around me, because my decisions affect everyone around me. I try to demonstrate these in and out of school, to the best of my ability, but no one is perfect, so I, like every other caring individual, fail in perfection of this area, even though nearly accomplishing my goal. When I am about to do or say something I have recently learned to think twice and check to make sure it is appropriate and even if it is absolutely needed before giving my views or opinions."

Chase's Interests and Hobbies

Chase Mabry likes to play soccer and has played since he was five. He also enjoys playing football, which has occupied his time for the past two years now.

When asked about people he admires, Chase wrote, "My role model has to be my mom and dad, but not just either one, both of them as a whole. My parents, mixed together create the single-most person I look up to. They do everything for me, and I'm sure they always will. I love them so much! That is why my mom and dad add up to my biggest role model."

Chase's favorite teacher is his sixth grade math teacher, Mrs. Chasen. "She really made everyone understand the problems and actually cared about us too. She is definitely the teacher who has taught me the most. She even helped me to see the reason to care for others and not just desert them, which is a very valuable lesson."

His favorite subject in school is a three-way tie: "It is between Spanish, Language Arts, and Drama/ Speech, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be Language Arts, for it is the one that has the greatest impact on my future."

Chase likes to ride bikes with his friends and race each other. "While we're not cruising through the streets, we are usually playing backyard football, our favorite past time. We love to play the sport after school as much as possible. "

"If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would have to go to Cancun," Chase writes. "I went there last year for spring break with my family and had a blast. With all kinds of water activities, such as wind surfing and parasailing, to volleyball on the beach, great tourist attractions, and wonderful pools, it is the place to be. I had loads of fun and am going back this spring break, but this time to Cozumel, right across the water."

Chase is well on his way toward his career ambitions. "When I grow up, I want to be a famous author. In addition to a writing contest sponsored by a local television station, I am writing a sci-fi story on cloning, which is a topic that is very interesting to me. I hope to publish it someday, after revising it a lot. I hope that this contest will help me to receive additional help on achieving my goal of becoming an author."

Chase is funny, athletic, smart, fun, and nice. And if he give one piece of advice about violence to everyone across the nation, "I would have to say to never bully others around, for if no one did, then violence would be resolved."