Andrea V. Sparks
South Oldham Middle School
Crestwood, Kentucky

Andrea V. Sparks is a 13-year-old student at South Oldham Middle School in Crestwood, Kentucky. She participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won the grand prize, a Nintendo Gamecube. Andrea's essay on 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, Andrea felt horror. Andrea's school talked to her about the events of September 11th, and she wrote that certain students in your school being treated differently now because of the attacks. "[They are] being called names because they are Muslim, or look Muslim, or are from the Middle East."

Andrea thinks it's possible for one country to bully another country, and she's actually seen someone being bullied in her school. South Oldham Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence. "School officials set up motion monitors and cameras. They make examples of those who do use violence by giving them displinaries or suspending them, and if the violence is bad enough, expel them from school."

Andrea 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 Andrea, South Oldham Middle School does not teach her about these character qualities, but she does think about and try to practice these character qualities. "I try top think before I speak, and try to help people when they need it, and comfort them when something happens to them or their families or friends. When someone is getting bullied and can't fend for themselves, I try to help."

Andrea enjoys reading, flag football, writing and going to the movies with friends. She admires and looks up to her mother. "She always knows what to say to make someone feel better."

Andrea thinks her school is overcrowded. Her favorite teacher is Karen Smith. "She teaches us so much and is fun at the same time."

If Andrea could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to Singapore. "I would like to travel back to this tropical place to see my old friends again, see all the sights, eat all the curry and swim in the tropical water."

When Andrea grows up she wants to be an author. "I like to write and I love to share all my stories with other people."

Andrea is organized, funny, serious (at times), creative and logical. Her advice to other U.S. students about stopping school violence is, "If you're having a problem with something, talk to an adult. If you keep a journal you can release all the stress and negative feelings."