Annie Reed
Powell County Middle School
Stanton, Kentucky

Read Annie's first place essay: "America the Beautiful"

Annie Reed is a 13-year-old student at Powell County Middle School in Stanton, Kentucky. She participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and received $500 for winning first 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 and/or essay 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.

In her free time, Annie enjoys playing softball, playing the piano, participating in the Yearbook Committee, Beta Club, and the PCMS Band. She is also an active member of the Bowen First Church of God Youth Group. She enjoys spending time with her friends, being outdoors, reading and writing.

"Throughout my life, many people have inspired me," wrote Annie. "I have been blessed with wonderful, loving, Christian parents, but the person I admire the most is my Grandmother; Mrs. Maudie Tyra. She has been such a role model and inspiration to my life. Mamaw is so strong and has been through many trials and struggles. Throughout everything, she stands tall and never loses her faith in Christ to help her through. Her life is a story in itself and she is truly and admirable person."

Annie attends a small rural middle school in Powell County, Kentucky. Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Crystal Neal, and Annie describes her as a young, intelligent English teacher who first detected Annie's interest in writing.

"She keeps me active in writing contests throughout the year and has spent many hours of her own time to help me edit and polish my writing pieces. Mrs. Neal has helped me in so many ways that it would be impossible to repay her for her patience, her gentle necessary criticism, mentoring and friendship. Without her, I wouldn't be answering this questionnaire and would have never discovered my yearning to write and express myself."

If Annie could travel anywhere in the world, she would venture to Paris, France. Paris has always been her "dream vacation" because of the remarkable art pieces and astounding architecture that represents the city. She has always been interested in the way that artists express themselves, and it seems that Paris encourages that expressive freedom.

When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, one would think she's well on her way to becoming the next great American novelist. But, Annie has more than one aspiration.

"This is probably the hardest question there is to answer. This week I would like to be a Child Psychologist. I love working with children and long to help any child in need of a helping hand or a listening ear. For today, this is my dream; but who know what the future holds."

Annie is a creative, independent, expressive, passionate and unique individual. Her passion shines through when speaking about preventing school violence and practicing ethical behavior.

"With the recent terrorist attacks, I feel that violence prevention in schools should be targeted at outsiders attempting to enter the school," Annie writes. "To prevent their entrance into the building, more advanced security systems should be installed to keep them from coming in contact with the students and staff. Metal detectors should be set up to stop anyone who might be carrying a gun or weapon

"I understand that most school shootings are carried out by a member of the student population, and the prevention of these occurrences should still be directed, but I feel as if the school systems are doing everything they can do to the best of their ability. I don't know if there is a solution to stop the violence, but Citizenship Classes … would help to get younger children aware of the problem, and try to prevent their actions from becoming violent."

If she could give one piece of advice to other students across the United States about stopping school violence, Annie writes, "I would tell these students that if we all could come together to look past our differences and prejudices, we could make the world a better place and wouldn't have to turn to violence to solve our problems.