Kristi Muchnick: Deerfield Beach Elementary
By C. Ron Allen
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Age: 11

School: Deerfield Beach Elementary

Grade: Fifth

Hometown: Deerfield Beach

Trait: Cooperation
When her peers are having difficulties with their studies, Kristi tries really hard to help.

Also, during the first week of school, she helped a parent find her kindergarten child who had mistakenly boarded a bus after school with a friend instead of waiting to be picked up by her mom. Kristi remembered what the girl was wearing and helped locate her.

Teacher, Jennifer Schutt: "I see Kristi demonstrating the character trait of cooperation every day. She always goes out of her way to help other students in our class. As a safety patrol, Kristi assists students throughout the entire school."

Parent, Karen Muchnick: "We always call her our little FBI agent because she notices everything. 'Mom, is that new?' 'Dad why are you doing it that way?' I am glad that others are noticing the character in her."

Kristi Muchnick: "It makes me feel good and proud of myself to help someone," the future day care teacher said. "If someone has a difficult time getting an answer, I like to help them. I [also] like babies and I like helping them to do stuff."


This is one in a series of stories on students who best exemplify the Broward County School District's eight character education traits -- cooperation, responsibility, citizenship, kindness, respect, honesty, self-control and tolerance -- and patriotism as part of all eight.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7917.