Heroes took center stage in the spring of 2003. In the activity called “Heroes With Character,” Minot students wrote an essay about a person with character who is a hero in their life. Each school then had a general assembly in which students read his or her essay before the entire student body. “I attended the assembly at Jim Hill Middle School in which Max Buchholz read his essay to his mother who is currently fighting cancer,” says Steve Beutler, career counselor at Minot Public Schools. “I don't think there was a dry eye in the gym. It takes courage to read an essay about your hero in front of 900 students.”

Here is the essay of seventh grader Max Buchholtz:

“You have been my role model for my whole life. You show great character under all circumstances. You are friendly, funny, caring, responsible, and trustworthy. I have learned so much from you.

“You are the most caring person I know. When I am sick, you help me get better. If someone is having a bad day, you lift their spirits. Even through you battle with cancer, you are still caring for everyone. You never walk past someone in need. You stop and lend a helping hand. You always go out of your way to help your family. Mom, you are the definition of caring.

“You always look at the positive side even when the negative side is overwhelming. People like someone with a positive attitude. These are some reasons that you have many good friends.

“You have self-respect and self-discipline. You respect others' decisions and reasons for doing things. Mom, I hope I will someday have as much character as you have. You have shown me how to be a great person. You have shown me how to have good character. You are a wonderful person.”

To read other essays, go to: www.minot.k12.nd.us/votech/ccfile/happenings/hero.htm