Sam Sherbourne
Gray Middle School
Union, Kentucky

Sam Sherbourne is an 11-year-old student at Gray Middle School in Union, Kentucky. She participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won an Experience Music Project prize pack.

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, Sam felt very sad. "I hoped that the other families would get better. I hope the people who lost a family member will soon recover from their loss."

Sam's parents and school both talked to her about the events of September 11th. She wrote that certain students at her school are being treated differently because of the attacks. Sam doesn't think it's possible for one country to bully another country, and she's never seen someone being bullied in her school.

According to Sam, Gray Middle School takes measure to prevent bullying and violence. "They talk to us on how to be fair to each other, and they also tell us what might happen if the other person get depressed or something."

Sam 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. Character qualities Sam thinks people need to have to reduce violence include Honesty, Respect, Kindness, Courage, Tolerance, Love, and Self Control.

Gray Middle School teaches Sam about these character qualities. "We have certain assemblies to help us understand, and if you want, you can join after school groups."

Sam personally thinks about and tries to practice these character qualities. "I try to be nice to some people that are not my friends," she wrote. "When I have a different opinion than somebody else, we try to work it out."

Sam enjoys cheerleading and basketball. "My favorite thing to do is just 'Hang' with my friends," Sam wrote.

She looks up to her Aunt Joanie, "because she is very nice to everybody and she is very fun to be around, and I would like to be like her when I grow up."

According to Sam, Gray Middle School gives out a very good education, but students still get to have some fun. "My favorite teacher is Mr. Rebillot," Sam wrote. "He is the technology teacher. Things I like to do with my friends are going to the movies and also the mall. Sometimes my friends and I will go to the Fun Dome (that is a skating rink). My favorite subjects in school are Technology, Reading, and any kind of Art class."

If she could travel anywhere in the world, Sam would go to Germany "because that is where my family's heritage comes from, and I also have a penal from there so that would be very cool!"

"I want to be a vet when I grow up because I love animals, and I would love to help other things," Sam wrote.

Sam is nice, funny, kind, outgoing, and playful, and if she could give one piece of advice to other U.S. students, " I would tell them to try their best, and to be nice to other students, even if they don't like them.

"Be nice to other people, never put other students down, and always give compliments to people so you can help them feel better about themselves."

Great advice, Sam!