Krinda Wernicke
North Richland Middle School
North Richland Hills, Texas

Krinda Wernicke is a 13-year-old student at North Richland Middle School in North Richland Hills, Texas. She 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, Krinda felt melancholy. Krinda's parents and school both talked to her about the events of September 11th. Krinda thinks it's possible for one country to bully another country, and she has actually witnessed someone being bullied in her school. According to Krinda, North Richland Middle School takes measures to prevent bullying and violence.

"There is often a police officer frequenting the school to help with conflicts of violence and to keep order," Krinda wrote. "The teachers there also discuss violence and prejudice from different viewpoints … to show why you should be considerate, and not inclined to use violence as a way out of a problem."

Krinda thinks it's important for young people to learn how to manage their anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, and that it's important to be respectful of others, even when you disagree. Character qualities Krinda thinks people need to have to reduce violence include Honesty, Respect, Kindness, Cooperation, Tolerance, Patience, and Self Control.

Krinda's school teaches her about these character qualities. "Each month, there is a different virtue posted around the school with its description and historical person who had best shown that virtue. Also, the extra minutes in 4th period are sometimes used as Character Development Time to go into depth about the importance of treating other with respect in general."

Krinda also tries to think about and practice these character qualities. "Whenever I do happen to run or trip into someone, or any accident for that matter, I politely apologize before continuing on," Krinda wrote. "I hold no prejudice against anyone and I keep an open mind so I don't get any preconceived notions. Although lecturing may become extravagantly boring, I tolerate it without whining or complaining during its length. I respect the teachers and I don't talk back or gossip about them as I have considered their viewpoints and the strenuous actions they might have to make to keep order within the class."