Amanda Schott
Howard M. Phifer Middle School
Pennsauken, New Jersey

Read Amanda's second place essay: "Stopping School Violence through Ethical Behavior"

Amanda Schott is a 13-year-old student at Howard M. Phifer Middle School in Pennsauken, New Jersey. She participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and received $250 for winning second 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.

Amanda has witnessed someone being bullied in her school, but she says that Howard M. Phifer Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence.

"My school provides peer mediation if the harassment continues. Also, our staff is so caring and kind, we are able to discuss the matters with teachers and our principal."

Amanda thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and she also thinks that it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree. Amanda thinks that there are certain character qualities people need to have to reduce violence: Respect, Tolerance, and Love.

Phifer Middle School teaches these character qualities via Project Wisdom messages read everyday over the morning announcements. And Amanda thinks about and tries to practice these character qualities.

"I want to be treated with all of these ethical values and if I don't treat others so, why should they treat me justly?" Amanda wrote.

The Character's Cool Contest isn't the first time Amanda has won a contest -- she was a finalist in a PTA sponsored poetry contest. Her poem, "The Porcelain Doll," is going to be published in A Celebration of Young Poets.
In addition to writing, Amanda enjoys sports: She is the field hockey and lacrosse goalie for her school. She also takes part in her school's newspaper and orchestra; she plays the violin.

"I love to read and write - especially Gail Carson Levine, Donna Jo Napoli, and historic fiction. In addition, I'm good at acting and singing."

Amanda looks up to and admires many adults. However, she thinks her role models are her sisters and parents.

"The attributes I get from my mother are to be kind, caring, gentle and compassionate. From my father, I get determination, strength, and the ability to cope with sundry things. From my older sister, Marissa, I get common sense, maturity, and sweetness. Allison, my little sister, gives me a will to strive, playfulness, and how to have fun."

Amanda describes her school as a "quintessential school. I like that it has a mixing pot of religions and cultures because it would be awful to stare about and see nothing but mirror images."

Her favorite teacher is Mrs. DeFulvio, her Language Arts teacher and her mentor. "Without her help, with everything, I wouldn't have this great opportunity. She is patient when I make errors and reminds me that I have a gift. She's not your ordinary teacher; she cares, which makes her so wonderful. … She has a great impact on my writing, and me; she deserves this thanks."

Amanda's favorite subjects are: English, Social Studies, Science and Reading. "I love English and Reading because I love to read and write. Considering I read so much historical fiction, I sometimes help the teacher with lessons on King Henry VII and his sons and daughters! I love Science because it's so unpredictable. You don't know if this acid and oil will make something explode … you just don't!"

Amanda also knows how to have fun with her friends. "Almost every Friday night, my friends and I go to the mall. We usually buy CDs or paraphernalia from Clare's. On the other hand, we sometimes go to basketball games and sheer our team on. In addition, we go over to each other's houses and have sleepovers."

If Amanda could travel anywhere in the world, she would go back to London because she loves British history. "In London, I would like to go back to the Palace Theatre to see my favorite play, "Les Miserables," again. In addition, I have relatives nearby, so they would probably fly over too!"

When she grows up, Amanda would like to be a Broadway actress because she absolutely loves to sing and act. "I was even Peppermint Patty in a summer play! On the side, I would become a writer because I love to write with an uncertain passion."

Amanda is a funny, realistic, creative, athletic and talented person. She has some advice for other students across the U.S. about stopping school violence.

"First of all, I would say, 'why do you want violence? What does it prove?' Most likely, in that room after my questions, you could hear a pin drop. I'd say, 'correct. Nothing. So, why do something that doesn't get you to an advantage.'"