Dustin Strickland
Seneca Middle School
Seneca, South Carolina

Dustin Strickland is a 12-year-old student at Seneca Middle School in Seneca, South Carolina. He participated in the MindOH! Foundation's 2002 Character's Cool Contest, and won an Athletes for a Better World Poster.

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, Dustin felt "very sad for the people involved in the attacks." Dustin's parents and school both talked to him about the events of September 11th.

Dustin does not think it's possible for one country to bully another country, but he has seen someone being bullied in his school. According to Dustin, Seneca Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence. "They get suspended in or out of school."

Dustin thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and he thinks that it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree. He thinks that there are certain character qualities people need to have to reduce violence: Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Courage, Cooperation, Tolerance, Love, Patience, and Self Control.

Seneca Middle School teaches Dustin about these character qualities. "We have a class called Succeeding in Middle School."

Dustin also thinks about and tries to practice these character qualities by the way he treats other people.

Dustin's hobbies include hunting, fishing, and riding dirt bikes. He looks up to his mom and dad "because they love me very much."