Tell us "What being a hero means to you" in 500 words or less...

A hero, what is a hero anyway? Really? In our time and generation, a hero is someone who has done something that caught the world’s attention. It didn’t matter if their real reasons were not matching up with what they showed us. And all those heroes always get caught. They get their medal and thanks and then they’re remembered forever. And no one is allowed to forget it. What about the heroes that never ever get caught? Those people who the right thing because no one is ever watching. Because they know who ever they just helped will join the circle of making a difference. What about those single parents who are left alone to take care of that gift that keeps on giving, teaching that kid that life has it’s up’s and downs and to never give up. There is always light on the other side. What about that under paid teacher. Who decided ‘Yeah I wanna help that kid who I’m going to bond with for a whole year so that they become that special person I know that they’re gonna be’. Never had they been thanked by their past students who became those special people, who grew up and had families of their own. How about the people who decides that it’s actually worth it, to get dirty, keeping everyone around them from getting sick even if that means that they themselves may get sick. Or even stranger, that stranger who just does a simple form of kindness and no one even knows why, both of you knowing that you may never see them again. But yet hoping that the act made some difference, even if it was a small one. That hero may never know if they had done something important. Doing that unexpected kind act, just showing someone that they matter, may have stopped that person from doing something that could of hurt the world, not made it better. Those are the real definition of heroes. Not those fantasy characters in tights that they try to make in the real world. Leave those in the comic books. Real heroes don’t need people to show them any attention and make them forget why they did the deed in the first place. Besides real heroes, humans or not, know that feeling that makes the deed worth it. That real feeling that makes you wants to hop, skip, and jump. And at the end of the day that feeling doesn’t go away and makes you appreciate yourself and the people around you that, like you, have great value. Then the people who were helped get a secret message, the one all heroes keep inside them, about the importance of other people and how you were not the only person created on this planet. And one day that victim may become a hero themselves. But only because of those unsung heroes who encouraged others to make a difference. Even the people who you see on TV and history books were encouraged by others who made an impact on their lives whether it was good or bad. If you want my definition of a hero, then it’s a person or people who are willing to make a difference for the better of this community, or even better, the rest of the world by starting with one person at a time just because they care. That is what a real hero is. And that will be the real definition till the end of the world.

What a Hero Means to Me
What does hero mean to you? What a hero means to me is that he is special no matter what the consequences are and that his proud that he can save someone and then take the blame and suffer the consequences as long that he can make someone feel better. A hero to me also is that he is responsible for his actions and that he can care for everybody the same way even if they are different or another race like if they even care if they are different that a hero should think of everybody as we are all the same we all have eyes, mouth, feet, and face that what is the difference that people should care of what is in the inside not the outside of how you look like it all matters of what is inside your heart.
For example, my hero in forever is my dad he is honest and kind and loving also is my mother but being a hero means you’re a hero with the heart and you protect others from well not danger but from things that get you stuck in the wrong path that could affect your future. A hero like somebody in your family perhaps you consider them a hero like I consider my dad and mom a hero and maybe you do to but a hero is a person who has a loving heart and cares for the world and the people in it even if we are different we all are the same no matter what happens we are never going to change.
Personality is another thing that heroes are more important in a hero what’s in there heart and how they act if they are rude or mean or nice that’s good because you would do nice things for other people like if they need help or even little things like helping an elderly cross the street with heavy grocery bags or anything like that or if she falls in the middle of the street while crossing the street anyone can help her or him get up and maybe take them home if they don’t have a car. That is called kind and love out of your heart and means that you are nice, thoughtful and kind and means that you are a person with a heart and loving care for other people.
And also being hero means not judging someone for how they look by their appearances. You have to get to know the person before you judge them. Like earlier in the essay you have to treat everybody the same way. Before you judge a person talk to them have a conversation with them and hangout with them and get to know who they really are before you judge don’t listen to rumors. That’s what I think what a hero means to me. Don’t do anything before you get to know them.

College is unheard of in my family. It's a dream. A fantasy. Something only few can achieve. Growing up those were the words flying around my neighborhood. My mom always had high hopes for me. She made me believe. Graduating high school will make me the first but going to college will make me a role model to my younger brother and most of all an inspiration to my future kids. College is a big leap to take but I am willing to take it if the opportunity present itself. This dream might sound impossible now but with a little help and support its only one more step to reality. So for me there isn’t just one hero. A hero is a bunch of things put together to form a vision to see a vivid picture. Things like families and friends. Those who are closest to you are the real heroes. Because face it, no matter how hard you try you’re always going to need a helping hand in one point in your life. No matter how strong and confident you might be. A hero can be anyone but in my case everyone who had made an impacted in my life are my true and only hero.

So often in today’s media is the word “hero” used in context of someone with extraordinary, superpower like abilities. Characters such as Marvel’s Spider-Man and Captain America are a small representation of what the word “hero” has come to portray in today’s day and age.
Defined as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities” and “a person who is greatly admired” by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “hero” is one that is widely used in the English language. As with the majority of English words, the meaning of the word “hero” varies from person to person, depending on what the sender expresses in their message to the receiver, and what the receiver infers from the context.
In essence, selflessness and righteousness are the two key components of every hero. Simply put, a hero is someone who puts the needs of others before their own. A hero dedicates their efforts to the service of their community and nation. Heroes take action on behalf of those that are in need and unable to fend for themselves, as well as in defense of integrity or a moral cause. In many instances, the service to their community involve risks to their physical comfort, social stature, or quality of life. Without hesitation, a hero would take these risks without the expectation of material gain.
While the little girl standing at the bus stop every morning waiting for her ride to school is unable to shoot webs of steel and swing from the rooftops, she is still able to stand up for the disabled child being picked on by others. She does this knowing she will be looked down upon by the larger crowd, and puts herself at risk of being picked on. Yet she does so anyways, for she fended someone who was unable to and defended a moral cause. This girl is a hero.
While the elderly, disabled man in the wheelchair at the end of the block does not possess the zenith of human strength and speed, he does possess a paperweight of excellent craftsmanship in the form of the Purple Heart. A highly decorated veteran of several tours, he has served his nation gallantly and has given both of his legs in line of duty. Yet he sees no value in his military medals, for he defended the people and the integrity of the United States of America and he expects no personal gain. This man is a hero.
When viewed from this interpretation of the word “hero,” it becomes apparent that though Marvel’s fictitious characters exist not in this world, real life heroes do. More yet, they surround us in abundance and can easily discovered with open mind and eyes. Heroes will undoubtedly carve their names into the pages of history. Yet history will look upon them not as individuals, but rather unified force. History will look upon them not as who they were, but rather what they did and what they stood for.

Thirteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, quite a few people lost their lives to terrorism. Yet, their name lived on. They were heroes.

What exactly is a hero? For some, it is something along the lines of Spider-man, Batman, or even Superman. For others, it is a hardworking father or a loving mother. For still others, it is a selfless being who dedicates his or her life, and even risks it at times, for the benefit of others. For me, though, it’s everybody. I believe that each and every one of us is a hero, because, according to my understanding, a hero is one who is able to regain composure and move on each and every time the world slaps them squarely in the face. The world often tries to overwhelm its people, trying to drown each and every person in their own tears. All people have been swimming through the sea of life, making their way to shore. Meanwhile, as they try, the waves of this majestic ocean toss them around and pull them under. Nevertheless, these determined swimmers fight to the surface and taste the sweetness of air once again. And they keep on trying, even as the salt stings their eyes, because the sensation feels good. It is the emblem of hard work pricking with satisfactions. And these swimmers swim on.

I daresay that everyone can swim. Because we all have been paddling from one moment of life to the next, all of which aren’t necessarily “good”. I believe that each person has a story- a hike through mountains and valleys, through blissful instances, as well as not-so-blissful ones. But no one every stops... they go on, which is, in itself, beautiful indeed. Each person has had to face the difficulties of life, but all find a way through the maze of sadness.

The hardest thing in life is, more often than not, letting go. But we all have finally unwrapped our fingers from the briefcase of the past and have continued walking forward. And that is what I call brave- not letting the past weigh one down or enabling it to deter one even the slightest. We all have been through rain and sunshine, but we haven’t let ourselves get lost in the mysterious, fluffy clouds that tower above as we move on.

And that makes us all real heroes.

What does a hero mean to you? To me, a hero is a person who is there for you. Without a hero, nobody would have someone to look up to. Everyone should have a leader to look up so life would not be hard. A hero is dedicated, inspired, and should be ready for the world.
First of all, a hero should be ready for the world. For a hero to be ready he has to help people around the world. He has to have a good heart. He also has to work hard. To have a good heart, help, and work hard is what a hero needs to be ready for the world.
Secondly, a hero to me should be inspirational. Heroes have to focus on their work. They have to listen and study hard. The role model can never back down on his work. To focus, listen, and never back down are things a hero needs in order to be inspirational.
Finally, the hero has to be dedicated. For a hero to be dedicated he has to leave his family. He also has to put his best effort into his job. That hero has to take time to be dedicated. A hero is like a smoothie on a hot sunny day, cool and refreshing.
In conclusion, being dedicated, inspiring, and to be ready are the characteristics of what a hero means to me. He needs to be ready with the right tools to survive the day. He needs to be inspired with the right materials to keep his mind focused. Most importantly, he needs to be dedicated with doing brave things. A world without heroes, is an empty world.

A hero is a person who changes the world. A hero is also a person who saves lives such as policemen and doctors. Being a hero means helping the community and making a better world. It also means helping injured men and women. One hero is Marin Luther King, a person who fought against segregation and risked his life. Some heroes risk losing their lives doing their jobs to protect their country. Firefighters are everyday heroes that could have been a hero many times. Military officers are heroes because they help us during rough times and fight to defend our independence. Lastly, a hero is a person that has shown great courage and sacrifice.

The moral structure in which the world was built upon has defined good and evil. The evils of genocide, terrorism, and war have allowed extraordinary individuals to emerge from the crowds of ordinary people. Tragedies have shined a beam of light upon those who are empathetic and are willing to make sacrifices. They may not come in a bold red cape, a fancy, top of the line bat mobile, or carry a hammer and command the skies, but they carry actions that are justifiable and righteous. Heroes are individuals who act on their own moral beliefs displaying selflessness and self-sacrifice.

History books define heroes as people like Gandhi or President Eisenhower. Although inspiring and eminent heroes are appreciated, it is not necessary to save a country or win a war in order to be hero. While a donation to a children’s hospital may not brand you on the forehead with the word hero, it does not make you any less of a hero to those who benefit from your generosity. It is the small, seemingly trivial acts of kindness that represent the most common and overlooked kind of heroes, everyday heroes. They are not public figures. They are not obvious role models. They blend in with the mass of people you see at church on Sunday. They may or may not be wearing a uniform or be running in and out of burning buildings. They are human and they are fallible. But they possess compassion, affection, and courage to set aside their own insecurities and fears in order to do good for others, to do what they feel is right.

If you were to ask me who I admire most, I would say the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. If you were to ask me who my hero was, I would say Dad. My dad is not perfect. He has his own set of problems as does every entity existing on this Earth. I do not particularly admire the way he manages his life nor am I proud that he struggles with finances. However, it is Dad who took me to the boardwalk when I needed relief from the evil that is school work. It is Dad who tries his best to make me smile with nonessential, material gifts that I beg for despite knowing his financial circumstances. It is Dad who is the first person to ask me “What’s wrong?” when I appear glum. He as an individual has personally contributed to my life more than Mr. Ban ever will. It is my Dad that selflessly took care of my every need and did what a father should do, nurture and love.

Heroism does not need to be acknowledged by many. Its existence becomes the weight on the other side of the balance that lifts up corruption and crime. To those that displayed great courage during the tragedy that was September 11 showing the world the strength of humanity in times of peril. Thank you.

Being a Hero

This essay is about being a great hero, and what you would do if you were a hero.

If you want to be a hero you have to believe that you can do it. Being a hero doesn't mean you have to be strong on the outside, but you have to be strong on the inside more than the outside.

Being a hero means you have to have confidence and never give up, no matter what stops you from trying.

Being a hero means you have to be brave and get rid of your fears, and fear is just another reason to try even harder.

If you want to be a hero, this is what it also takes: loyalty, honesty, compassion, kindness, and so much more, but mostly a heart. Some people say the size of a hero's muscles matters a lot, but the size of the heart matters more.

That is what being a hero means to me.

Along with many others, at my current age I never really realize that I’m setting myself up for failure. With receiving the popular “book work” education where I do not learn much, I receive little motivation to try new content on my own. Many times, people often get stuck in their everyday routine. While you are trapped in this routine, you sometimes feel nothing can be done about it, and time goes by not even looking your way. To me, a hero overcomes this lifestyle many people try years to get out of.
The first thing that usually comes to people’s minds about heroes is fictional heroes, like superman, but only make a difference in comics and movies. The real superheroes in the world I believe are those that make the decision to make something of themselves. To take the first correct step, and follow through with their choices is a hero to me. With many people living most of their lives in an “unsatisfactory” lifestyle for many years I see it in my best interest to take advantage of my time before it continues to fly by.
Heroes come in many shapes and sizes, offer many different ideals to a variety of people, and come off as a role model. It is not about what you appear on the surface, but what your choices are in life. A hero is someone who is influential, someone who makes a difference, despite whatever negative situation society is throwing at them. At my current state, I am among the rest, no different in the eyes of someone who chose to take the first steps.

Can one really classify a hero? It’s true there isn't a specific definition since everyone has their own opinions on the matter. A hero can possess a variety of qualities; either good or bad. Everyone has a weakness or some type of vulnerability. An exact ideal hero doesn't actually exist in my eyes, since it’s true people have their good and bad points. You'd just have to overcome your weakness to not be afraid of it slowing you down from your true dreams.

Some traits that I find a hero should obtain are the usual ones: kindness, passion, bravery, and cooperation. A hero should push on for what they love and believe in and not just for their own benefit. But of course not every personality of a hero contains these features. I’d rather encourage a bright and kind leader instead of a leader of hatred and wrong intentions, as anybody.

I definitely consider believing in yourself should also be a property. Not even one person has to acknowledge you in order to feel good about yourself as a hero. Not even one person has to praise you. As long as you are proud of your actions and goals, you can be your own hero at heart because you saved yourself from failure as a person for your sake and the ones that surround you.

Instances of a hero can include the saviors of our community: police, firemen, doctors, educators, and the citizens. Simple actions such as assisting an elderly across the street or holding the door open for one another as well as complex actions such as stopping a criminal or saving a fellow citizen from a fire are all contributing to the welfare of the community. All together, they make up all kinds of heroes. With just one good deed, you can be a hero. This is what the term means to me.

Being a hero mean’s a lot to me.A hero to usually meant having super power’s to save the day.It’s takes more than flying or having super power’s it takes having the courage to
say “hey enough is enough”.Heroes aren’t born there made by not fighting for your beliefs but fighting for whats right.


Heroes can from all parts of the world.Heroes are everywhere maybe even your guardians are heroes.My parent’s for example parent’s my heroes with out my mom and dad I wouldn’t have the motivation to do well in school.
Heroes are the worlds inspiration not just your’s.Many heroes
go unnoticed for many years instead we focus on the heroes
from history which get all the credit.


Heroes should be given there own holiday to celebrate the reason we’re here is because heroes shaped this country. Martin Luther King Jr is a perfect example he was a civil rights
hero who got his own holiday.He was appraised for a big achievement while people change the world everyday with little achievement’s.The holiday would celebrate local heroes like cops,firefighters,or just someone who helped an old lady cross the street.It would called “hero appreciation day”or something like that.


Heroes mean the world to me without the heroes in the world
no one would have the courage to do something about anything what so ever.So thank you to all the heroes making big or small differences in the world.

Being a hero, it means that you are there for somebody when they really need it, at least that’s what it means to me. All heroes come in different shapes and sizes, they can be small and they can be big. A hero does everything they can in their power to help anybody when they need help, even when they can’t help themselves. There are some heroes we know, and some we don’t. The hero is somebody that does everything only for the good and the fair. If you think about it, a hero either becomes the hero when it is in the moment that they need to be brave, or when they are meant to be that hero. Either it is them overcoming their problem and becoming the hero, or helping somebody to be the hero in their life. There really is actually no wrong or right answer, everybody has their own opinion on what being a hero is. It just depends on how the person looks at this. It can be either the people you look up to; a doctor is someone that is mostly considered as a hero, because of how he/she can save lives. I mean it is pretty simple to know what a hero is, but if you put yourself in their shoes, you could see how difficult it is to keep up with people. Let’s make an example, if you were a really good friend helping somebody else with their problems, and you have these other two friends that rely on you to fix their problems too; they basically consider you as a helpful person. And that basically means that they need you to save them with their everyday problems. What I am trying to say is that a hero is also filled with problems of their own, and sometimes, it can be difficult to be a hero when they have a lot on their shoulders. That is one way how I sometimes look at heroes. Well to end of this paper, I would like to say that heroes can be great! But then you don’t know what kind of struggle they are going through themselves. Even heroes might need hero’s of their own!

Yvette Ortega
Most people think of Superman, Batman, or Spiderman when it comes to heroes, but a hero can be anyone who does something good without expecting anything back in reward. To me real heroes are those who face difficult obstacles in life, but pull through with their courage and bravery. A hero can be anyone we look up to, either fictional or real. Someone can even become our hero by just being nice to us when no one else was. It can also be someone who’s been there for us from beginning to end, or someone very special we admire that has been a big part of our life, like a mom or a dad. Heroes are something we hold on to for motivation to accomplish our dreams and goals.
Another type of hero can be those who bravely risk their lives voluntarily to save someone in need of help. Heroes are also those who go to was and fight for our country. We may not know them but they are still heroes because those soldiers either risked their life for our nation, or died while fighting for it.
In conclusion, heroes are a big part in a person’s life starting from childhood because a hero sets important examples.

By definition, a hero is one who is willing to sacrifice his or her life for the sake and well-being of others. A hero isn't necessarily prone to wearing capes or possessing unearthly powers because at that point, that "hero" is considered to be a superhero. Consequently, superheroes don't exactly exist; that doesn't mean the world doesn't have heroes of its own. Furthermore, if we were to broaden the meaning of a hero, we would get those who are revered for their courage, determination, bravery, and kindness. Heroes are everywhere in the world, whether he or she be a soldier deployed in Iraq or a blue-collar worker here in the United States.
What makes a person a hero is dependent on their actions and beliefs. A hero must have nobleness and integrity. A hero must be one who is brave enough to stand up and face adversity when others are not as valiant to do so. Something as simple as a person surrendering his jacket for someone who is less fortunate to afford one can be very heroic. Of course, this doesn't mean that a man who risks his life to prevent a imminent bank robbery isn't a hero. A hero is only a hero when his or her intentions are not for personal gain, but rather for the welfare of others.
In 2012, Aurora in Colorado was struck by a tragic massacre that occurred in a movie theater. During the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, James Eaglan Holmes shot aimlessly at innocent movie goers. Of those that were shot, twelve were killed and seventy others were injured. Of the twelve people that were killed, three men sacrificed their lives for their loved ones. While Holmes walked the aisles of the seats, these men acted as human shields for their girlfriends, giving words of comfort and assurance that "it will all be over soon". As a result of their valor, three women were given the chance to live and continue the courageous legacy of their heroes. These three men were heroes.
On September 11th of 2001, two commercial airplanes were deliberately flown into the twin towers in New York City. All fire and police departments within the radius of the attack were the first to respond. Everyone helped those in need; firefighters rescued those trapped by rubble and policemen escorted endangered citizens to safety. On that day, 2,606 innocent lives were taken unexpectedly. Approximately 421 of those who were killed were FDNY firefighters, NYPD officers, and EMTs. The men and women who devoted themselves to the protection of those fallen as a result of the attacks were heroes.
Needless to say, heroes are everywhere and without them, humans would never be able to unify with one other. Heroes are the binding agents that have the strength and bravery to go to limits where others are not willing to sacrifice themselves to. Heroes are among us and within our history when we were in times of crisis.

Tytiana Murray
Claug tonight middle school
Grade 8
What being a hero means to me
Being a hero can mean lots of things, but to me, a true hero stands up to do the right thing even when the odds are against them. Real heroes have courage and puts others up before themselves regardless what others think. A hero treats others how they want to be treated and helps others in their time of need. I consider heroes to be understanding when others make mistakes because even though they are imperfect, they are human too.
To be honest, anyone can be a hero in my opinion. It just takes one person to lead others to do the right thing. A hero is someone who would risk their lives in order to save someone else's who they love. A hero doesn't have to have any super powers or special features. Even helping an elderly woman cross the street or standing up to a bully can be the heroic thing to do.
When you are a hero, you help out of the kindness of your heart. A true hero does a good deed not to be seen by others, but sothey can help the person in need. To be a true hero, you must be dedicated, strong willed, and a remodel to others even if you are afraid. A hero is unique and has the ability to save someone from sadness.
It is someone whomakes an impact on others' lives and sacrifices having less, just so someone they love can have more. True heros don't think of the consequences or what will happen to them afterwards. I think people who don't get upset over petty things. Heros don't question weather or not they are good enough. Instead, they encourage others to believe they can do anything they put their minds to.
Being a hero isn't a job you're forced to do. Also,it isn't a burdensome task. Heros are everyday people whoare willing to do the right thing without any thanks or repay. When you're a hero, you stand out. That's what being a hero means to me.

The word "hero" does not necessarily have a correct definition. There is no set paradigm depicting a hero's traits, and there is no instruction manual on how to be a hero. The best we can do in defining this word is slap on a stereotypical label saying that these guys are strong, smart, brave, willing to make sacrifices, etc. However, I believe that being a hero has an underlying meaning that is simply unfathomable to the point where it cannot be described with words. The best I can do in defining this word is write this essay.
The least that is expected from the archetypal hero is that they save people. However, heroic acts differ in size. Heroism could range from something as big as saving the world from a collision with a meteor or something as small as helping a friend out with homework. In both cases, the act has saved at least one person and as long as someone recognizes the act in question as heroic, I believe it counts as heroism.
Now think about how many cases of accidental heroism are out there. It happens all the time; people are saving others without realizing it. I think people have it built into them: help people in need. Albeit, there are people who would choose to ignore the fact that people need their help and therefore do nothing to improve the situation, but many other society members act on impulse: if he or she sees a person who needs help and he or she can do something about it, then he or she helps out. A hero can simply be an ordinary person who analyzes the situation, realizes they can help someone in need, and takes action according to what he or she believes will best benefit the situation.
The final point I'd like to add is that heroism, in my opinion, is mainly about perspective. What about all the people who are torn from society because they thought they were doing something for the greater good, but people simply found them psychotic, so they were locked away? Those people believe that society is now deprived of a hero, and they might find that the people who locked them up are not heroes at all, whereas regular citizens exalt whoever put the criminally insane behind bars. An additional example is the tearing down of the Astrodome. Some people thought this was great news. They probably thought it was about time for something new. On the flipside, many people thought that the Astrodome was an enormous loss, and tearing it down was an awful thing to do. People might view those who tore down the Astrodome as heroic or not depending on where they stand.
All in all, my definition is inevitably incomplete. What I will say is this: Heroes aren't born. They're not made. They are people who do what feels right to them, while society selects certain people that fit the archetypal image of "hero."

Two categories of memorable people exist: the idealist that is blind to reality and the ruthless pragmatist who is blinded by reality. The former irrationally follows a moral code demarcated by emotion, and the latter rationally forfeits morality (which he proudly scoffs at) to achieve an efficiency comparable to that of a machine. One lives in a world in his imagination, and the other adapts to reality completely, relinquishing hope in anything immaterial. However, only one is a true hero, and the other, at best, an antihero.
In AMC’s television series The Walking Dead, the protagonist Rick leads a group of survivors amidst a zombie apocalypse. Throughout the seasons, Rick forces his group into multiple harrowing situations, 2 of which are choosing to rescue Merle, an irate and violent member, after having left him behind, and searching for a Sophia, a lost child, for days without fruition. In each case, Rick violates basic logic in making decisions! After narrowly having escaped from danger, he throws himself back into danger to bring back a member who endangers the group even further. He drags men into a thick, zombie-laden forest searching for a child who serves as a net burden to the group. However, I do realize that he does all of this in hope, hope that Merle would change and serve as an asset, and hope that he would get to witness the rapture of a mother reunited with her dear daughter. Hope, the ability to reach for what we cannot see, is humanity’s greatest strength and weakness. Science, the building block of progress, would not exist without hope that there is some order in the universe. Yet, hope also makes us act against common sense, flouting reality and believing in resolutions with ideal outcomes. Many of us choose to see Rick as a hero because he embodies humanity’s greatest imperfection, it’s embracement of irrationality.
It’s ironic that emotions seem to be the strong force of humanity, seemingly inexplicable, but undeniably fundamental. The heartwarming twang we feel when witnessing an act of altruism is enigmatic. It’s not exactly significant in the grand scheme of things, but I can say personally that there is nothing else in the world as rewarding as that ephemeral moment of euphoria. We say it’s “efficient” to wage total war against other countries to kill morale, and that it’s “rational” not to donate the homeless, as most would just waste that money on alcohol anyway. Yet, as soon as we hear that napalm crackling and sense the dejection of that vulnerable man on the street, regret and pity plague us. Consistently, those who make logical decisions fade into obscurity, or worse, infamy, as time passes, and those who make illogical ones are raised upon pedestals as heroes. We naturally come to idolize those who show the most empathy in a world that favors amoral machines and punishes benevolent people. Well, this world has already crashed, but heroes will not let their moral fabric burn with it.

WHAT IS AN AMAZING HERO

I wonder, what is it like to be hero? Does it mean fighting super villains? When people think of heroes they think of Batman, Spiderman, X-men, Superman and others. Little do they know those aren't actual heroes. Real heroes are people such as, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Rosa Parks. To be a hero, it takes a lot of hard work. In order to be an outstanding hero you must be kind to others, be a wonderful influence, also have great citizenship. When you are kind to people they will most likely want to be around you. If you are a good influence on others it is likely that they will turn out to be very good people. To be a hero, it takes courage. If you are a hero you're brave enough to do almost anything. Last but not least, you must be helpful and make others feel comfortable. You should always be kind to other people.

You must be very kind to people. You should be kind to people regardless of their behavior. For example, if you sprinkle someone with great compliments people have a strong tendency of liking you better, it never fails. In fact, studies have shown that 99.9% of the United States Citizens that are helpful to others are known as heroes. For instance, those who assisted others during the catastrophe of 9/11, volunteers of the Red Cross ,Firefighters and others.

Secondly, to be a hero you need to be a good influence on others. It helps our world to be a better place. Good examples are always set for others to follow. In fact, those who set very good examples for others turn out to be awesome people. For example, my mom is a hero to me because she gives me speeches about disasters of wrong and the advantages of right.

Thirdly, it takes great citizenship to be a hero. If you are a hero, you must have time for your community. That is what a real hero does.

Finally, you should have lots of courage. It takes courage to be the best hero you possibly can be. It makes you have a wonderful appearance. Heroes tend to have a quality of spirit that enables them to face danger or pain without showing fear.

The possibilities of being a hero are endless especially if you believe. Today heroes are who they are because they did not stop trying. Military fighters have sacrificed their lives for us so that we can have the freedom and privileges we have today. There are many heroes all around us. You may discover one close to you whom you never would have expected.

A hero means to me someone who saves the world or like my father being there for me. I had a hero who loved me no human would do something like that . If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be alive.
It was late Tuesday I had this dog named Mamut. My dog and I went to the store to buy some things my mom needed. We came back from the store and there were some kids playing marbles.
One kid had problems with me so he said "Whats Up" and I Said, " What you want." He didn't said nothing and my dog was barking. He said, "Give me your dog" and I said, "No." I saw he was pulling something out and my dog he tried to get out of his collar and he did , but the kid stood still so did my dog then the kid kept on trying to pull something out.
My dog suddenly chased after him , and he bit tge kid , but not much because he was wearing 2 shorts. One was riped and the other one wasn't. My mom went to check the kid out and he had marks , but he wasn't bleeding or nothing. Suddenly the ambulance came and they took him to the hospital.
The next day animal control came to get my dog and the kid was walking normal and my dog was trying to tell me to hug him and he got in the truck of animal control with no fear and he left. That's my hero I love you my dear dog.

Rosine Mpozenzi
Ms.Berry
John Marshall Middle School
What Is A Hero To Me?
A hero to me is a person that rescues people from danger or anything else. A hero might sacrifice their lives to save others. You can trust a hero and you can ask them for help and protection. A hero loves to do his/her job of helping others. Without heroes we would be at risk. A firefighter is one type of hero that we look up to. Firefighters had to rescue people from the incident that happened on 9/11. They had to dig people up from the ground where the buildings had collapsed. Another type of hero is a doctor. Doctors save people’s lives by curing their diseases and help them live a better and healthier life. Nurses also assist society by helping the doctors. A nurse aids people and prepare medications for doctors to prescribe. A nurse also prepares other things for doctor like tools and the place where the doctor do surgery. And a hero can also be somebody that we look up to. We might look up to a lot of people but my number one hero is my mom. My mom takes care of me and my sister. My mother also makes sure we have plenty of food. Even though I might get mad at my mom, she will always be my hero.

When you hear the word, "hero", you probably think of Superman or Batman. They are heroes, but did you know that there are modern day heroes? Modern day heroes don't have the ability to fly or wear capes, but they help make the world a better place. That's what makes them a hero.

Nelson Mandela is a hero to me. He risked his life to fight for freedom for his people. He was put in jail many times, but he never gave up. He was brave, courageous, and he fought for what he thought was right. He spent many years in prison, but he never stopped protesting and fighting. He lived to see the country of South Africa free from apartheid and sanctions. On May 10, 1994, he became South Africa's first president.

Martin Luther King Jr. is also a hero to me. He fought for racial equality and justice. He led his people in many protests. He also organized many boycotts. He possessed the qualities of courage and bravery. He made a very famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial named, " I Have a Dream ". Over 200,000 people attended the speech. He did not live to see his dream put in action. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 on a balcony of a motel.

You don't have to possess superhero qualities to be a hero. Modern day heroes possess the qualities of courage, bravery, honesty, and they have to be compassionate. There are many heroes that live among us every day. You may not recognize them, but they are ordinary people who do good deeds every day.

What it means to be a hero to me?

Being a hero is hard. Everyone is looking up to you, convinced you’ll save the day. But that’s what makes heroes special. They have the heart to save lives. They have the courage to fight. They stand up for what is right. And they won’t give up. When disaster strikes, they appear. Horrible events are what bring the best out of humanity. Soldiers. Doctors. Police officers. Fire fighters. They’re all the same. They’re all what humanity desperately needs and wants. They are the heroes that earth is struggling to find. Why is it so hard for earth to find heroes? Do many of us not have what it takes to be a hero? I dare say, are we not capable to take matters in our own hands, to fight for what is right? Is the quality to be brave so hard to acquire? Is honesty so hard to achieve? Is humility, modesty, kindness, and strong will so hard to find in ourselves? Some might answer yes, it is hard, but how do you think our many soldiers become heroes? That they were simply born with it? No, they worked hard to achieve the status, the title, the honor, to be a hero.

What is a hero to you?
A hero to me is someone that will help without expecting something in return. A hero is someone who will risk their life another person. A hero is someone who works so their family will be okay. In my opinion a hero is someone you can trust. I believe everyone has different heroes. A hero may save your life.
A hero can be any person in the streets it can be you or the person next to you. They can be rich or poor, short or tall, and any kind of race. A hero can save your life or you can just like the way he is. A hero doesn’t have to have power or know how to fly. A hero can be someone older or smaller than you. A hero can be a male or a female. A hero doesn’t have to wear a cape. A hero is a hero for their personality or just because they are themselves.
My hero is my mom she gave birth to me. She has taken care of me for 13 years and hasn’t gotten tired of me. My mom works so she can have her own stuff and buy some stuff for us. My mom takes us to the doctor and dentist whenever we are sick or something hurts. My mom wakes up every morning to make us breakfast and take us to school. When we get home from school she has a snack for us because she knows we are hungry. My mom makes the food, cleans and works. My mom don’t know english but she still helps us with homework and projects. She also goes grocery shopping.
My other hero is my dad. He didn’t finish school but he works hard to maintain our family. He pays everything he gives my mom the money to buy groceries and pay the bills and rent. He leaves at 6:00 am everyday and comes back at 6:00pm really tired and dirty. And he still comes home and plays with us monopoly or a game similar to that one. My mom and dad are my heroes and I love them.

A hero to me is someone who possesses super powers. Yes, I know, you must be amused, but I am being completely serious. Although this may seem childish and immature, just hear me out on this, it might just be worth your while.
Growing up, I constantly fantasized about being the princess-saving knight in shining armor; I fantasized about being the burly man zooming through New York with a red cape drifting on his back saving the city day by day. I dreamed for people to look me down, and say, “This man is a hero.” As a child, I dreamed, fantasized, and hoped beyond my wildest dreams that I would someday become a hero- that I would gain the “hero” status. But, I knew that there was no such thing as super powers- that I couldn’t change the world every day. However, I now realize that I was wrong, and that I can be the noble knight or bold superhero, because super powers are real!
When people think of the words “super power”, they often associate it with child’s play. They think “Oh, it’s fake! It doesn’t exist!” Moreover, they believe that super powers are just purposeless, meaningless ideas scattered across a sketchpad; but society is wrong. There are real-life super powers that make a hero, and these super powers are known as: “compassion”, “dedication”, and “selflessness”.
Now you might be wondering, “But these ‘powers’ don’t make a man fly or turn invisible! How could they possibly be considered super powers?” Well, to answer that, let me define the words “super powers”: abilities that can drastically change people’s lives. Although a massive understatement, these three qualities (compassion, dedication, and selflessness) do change lives and, in my opinion, can make someone a hero. First off, a hero must be compassionate, meaning they have to possess a deep concern and sympathy for their environment and peers. They must be willing to help others with whole-hearted effort. Not only that, but a hero must be dedicated. Heroes must be strong-willed and persevere so that no matter how hard a task, giving up is never an option. Lastly, a hero must exemplify selflessness. Heroes must be willing to sacrifice their time, their well-being, and even their safety for the benefit of someone else, because they understand that by doing so, they are making our world a better place.
The great thing about these three super powers is that they can come in anybody regardless of age, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or status. Whether it be the cashier who just brewed your morning coffee, your quirky neighbor, or the deployed soldier leaving to serve, the powers of compassion, dedication, and selflessness can be found anywhere if you look hard enough. So although heroes can’t punch through brick walls as if they were paper or sprint faster than the speed of light, they still have the power and ability to change lives for the better, and THAT is the only thing that matters.

Zachary Valero September 9, 2014
B2/G7 Marshall Middle School
What is a hero to me?
A hero to me is someone who has leadership, courage, and bravery. It takes a lot to be a hero, but anyone can be a hero. A hero will sacrifice there self for someone else. You don’t have to be big and buff to be a hero you just need what it takes. If you’re expecting a hero like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Thor those are super heroes but not real, the real life hero’s will be like army , navy ,firefighters police , air force and even nasa. So you really don’t have to have powers or a cape to be a hero you need courage, leadership, and bravery to be a hero not advanced super gadgets just you. There are many heroes out there that do a lots of things just to help us. They don’t care if they don’t have powers .Do you remember those 9/11 firefighters and police? They didn’t know if that building was going to fall but they didn’t care they were focused on getting those people out before that building collapsed . That’s a hero to me .I don’t know any other hero that can be compared to what those people have risked their lives just to save ours. They probably knew they weren’t going to come out alive that’s what makes them a hero.

Bravery, courage, these are the things I think about when it comes to heroes. But what do you think about? Have you ever asked yourself what is a hero? Who are our heroes? What does it mean to be a hero? Although the answers are different for everyone, they all have similarities.
A hero can be anyone we look up to, fictional or real. They can be someone we've never talked to or someone we see every day. They might be brave. Your hero doesn't even have to be human! They could have courage and strength.
They could just have been nice to us when no one else was. They could be the one who's always there for you. Whoever they are, they are a part of our lives. I don't mean like they're standing in front of us, giving us advice, though they could be. I mean, we
create, adopt, or idolize heroes because we need them to help us grow. We use heroes to solve everyday dilemmas. They help us realize our passions, chase after our dreams and follow our hearts.
We have many heroes. Some, we don't even realize we had. When we were young, our heroes tended to be that of fiction. Robin Hood, Spiderman, Batman, The Incredibles, these were our heroes. We dreamt of fighting alongside them and saving the day. We also had real life heroes. Fire fighters, police, military men and women, they were people that we were taught to trust.
Remember when you were little and went shopping with your parents? They told us that if we couldn't find them then to go to a worker or a police officer and tell them we were lost. Sometimes our heroes are older siblings or parents, coming in to check on us and scare away the bad dreams. As we got older our fictional heroes were replaced by more real life, everyday heroes. They weren't gone; we just didn't need their help fulfill our dreams or chase away the monsters in our lives anymore. They have to have a quality about them that we like and admire. They should help us grow and learn. The one thing they should never do is shoot us down. If we are really passionate about something they should support us and love us for who we are.


That's why they are our individual heroes and no one else's. A hero should be dependable. They should be trustworthy and reliable. Sometimes they need to protect us from harm whether physical or mental. But most importantly, they shouldn't let us down.
We look up to heroes. They are a part of who we are; we all have heroes and different opinions on what a hero is. They all have one thing in common: to protect and help us grow. Even if we aren't grown, we couldn't have gotten this far without them. Fictional or real, male or female, human or not, every day or never, they are our heroes.

What does a hero mean to me? Fortunately, I am surrounded by individuals that have given me the opportunity to understand the character and charisma of a hero. The world struggles to conquer the destruction of violence, yearning for peace, serenity. Within this very country, citizens experience murder, death, betrayal. Students are consumed by newfound pressures through social media, and conform to the “status quo.” What is a hero to me? A hero recognizes the plea of individuals who have been tainted. A hero is armored with courage, strengthened by hope to overcome the barriers of conventionality throughout the world, within a school, inside a home. Look in a mirror. Really, truly look into a mirror and see yourself. You are a hero. How? Human beings have the potential of becoming something great. We have the potential of changing the world in the smallest of ways. So, the million dollar question. Do you have the courage? The courage to sacrifice your life for another individual regardless their ethnicity, gender, age, or background. A hero can look at individuals. Truly look at them for who they are as a person, surpassing the social definition of “normal” that society has created. Yes, our world, this very country experiences murder, death, betrayal. So, what defines a hero? A person who is brave enough to heal the community, brave enough to stop waiting and start making an impact right now.

He’s a coach. He’s a driver. He’s a grill master. He’s a friend. He’s my hero. He is my Dad, the one and only. My dad doesn’t wear a mask or a cape or even shiny boots, but he does wear a smile and a suit and sometimes golf slippers. Even though he cannot fly, he teaches me to soar. He has helped me excel in almost every area of my life, whether it was cheering me on at sports games or motivating me to finish schoolwork at late hours of the night. He always tells me, “There is nothing you can do but your best.” Even though he might get stressed sometimes or upset about “grown-up things”, he is always humbled enough to tell me how proud he is of me. A true hero’s pride lies in the people he helps rather than in his own accomplishments. My dad uses all his power and might to manifest goodness in me. A righteous hero never victimizes the helpless but helps them stand on their own two feet. My dad, though “tough-loving” at times, is always willing to reach out a hand and pick me up when I have fallen down. No matter what villains or crooks come my way, he always teaches me to do the right thing without justifying evil or allowing it to dampen the meaning of justice. Though he has never worked in law, he certainly feels strongly about the law. He has taught me to respect everyone, even if they disagree with me. If I hold steadfast to my beliefs, nothing can undermine my strength. My dad has been a catalyst for achieving my dreams thus far. He has helped me through high school and motivated me to prepare myself the best I can for college. When I fell into a bought of depression, my dad showed me how to overcome my feelings of worthlessness and showed me that through love, all things are possible. Someone or something can only be your kryptonite if you let it. My father always says, “Things happen. All you can do is keep living.” Heroes always seem to be immortal in movies, don’t they? My dad will be immortalized through all the lessons he has taught me and the love he has shared with me. My dad might not have super-speed, but he is always first to my side when I need help. He may not have super-strength, but he has been my rock through the rollercoaster of adolescence. He may not be able to read minds, but he can always tell when I am having an off day and knows how to set me back on track. Until I gain my own superpowers, I will not be able to fully repay him; however, he has taught me what it means to be a hero through example because he is MY hero.

Images of soldiers , firefighters immediately appear in our minds as we dicuss about hero.We often have a concept that heroes are those who acts bravery , do good thing,and being admired by other people.Still , there’s one kind of hero that’s rarely mentioned by people .They are called “silent heroes”.

Scientist is one of the examples of “silent hero”.They devote themselves to find new things that could make human’s life better . Finding cures for many deadly disease , inventing thousand of inventions that are efficient to our life now a day. They take care of the environment by growing trees and protect endangered species from extinction. Some of them worked so hard that they didn’t even have time to relax or think of other things other than science.

Who had taught us all the amazing stuff in this world ? Who had nurture most of the heroes ? . He or she is a teacher. In our life , we have had at least one teacher that helped us through the difficult time ,advised us the right thing so that we could went the right direction. Being a teacher ,they had a massive responsibility to turn a child into a productive citizen , influence that child to make this planet a better place .They are the main key to descend crime rate and social evil in the future.

Those examples above point out that you don’t need to be brave , respect by everyone , or sacrifice for other safety. Heroes are those who devote themeselves to help people and the world better using their mind , strength ,… etc . They work silently without other people acknowledge them. So when you see a doctor ,scientist ,or even a person who pick up trash ,remember that they are also one of a millions heroes in this beautiful planet.