The Character's Cool Contest was three contests in one -- students could enter a school drawing to win a prize for their school, an individual drawing to win a prize for themselves, and an essay contest to win cash prizes.

The contest asked students to fill out an interactive survey, which asked questions about their feelings in the aftermath of Sept. 11, bullying, school violence, and the ethical behavior and character education needed to reduce school violence.

Click the following links to view the contest essay topic, essay judging criteria, and contest rules.

Eligibility

All U.S. middle school students (youth ages 11-15) were eligible to participate.

Prizes

The school with the most students entered in the contest won a new computer with a one-year subscription to MindOH!'s Middle School Series ($6,250 value). The runner-up school received Project Wisdom's character education series ($1,000 value).

All individual students that filled out the survey were entered in a drawing to win the grand prize, their choice of either a personal MP3 player or a Nintendo Gamecube. In addition to the grand prize winner, students won Athletes for a Better World T-shirts, Athletes for a Better World posters, Seattle Seahawks T-shirts, Pacific-10 Conference T-shirt, Pacific-10 Conference hats, FOX Sports water bottles, Seattle Supersonics T-shirts, a Seattle Storm T-shirt, and Experience Music Project prize packs.

When was it?

The month of January 2002. Sign up now to receive an email notification about the kick-off of the 2003 Character's Cool Contest!


Coverage of the Contest

MindOH! Foundation Press Release, February 26, 2002:
"Almost 2,000 Students Across the U.S. Participate in the First Annual Character's Cool Contest"

April 4, 2002: Bucks County Courier Times:
 "Where Character is 'Cool': Five Carl Sandburg Middle School students are among the winners of a national essay contest that's designed to promote nonviolence and ethical behavior in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11."

Who can I contact for more information?

For additional information about the contest, contact Jennifer O'Brien at contests@mindohfoundation.org.

Coming Soon - The 2003 Character's Cool Contest!