What is a hero?
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” — unknown author
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A hero to me is defined as a courageous, humble, selfless and caring person. They never say, “Why me? Why is this happening to me?” They don’t think they are better than any other person, or above anyone else.
Heroes go beyond the call of duty and into the unknown. These people are what make up the world of good people and set examples to everyone. They were created by God to do great things. Truth be known, anyone can be a hero, and it’s just the people that decide to show they are a hero that set the examples of a true hero.
An example of a hero to me is Taylor Peterson. I’m sure that you have heard about her and her story. She to me is one of the biggest heroes in my life. I don’t know her very well, but I do know that she is a hero.
When she was diagnosed with cancer, she didn’t say, “Why me?” She didn’t stop living her life the moment she found out. Taylor instead decided to take on the battle for better or for worse. She decided that she needed to defeat this battle and show everyone and cancer that she was strong enough, and that she could beat it!
I know Taylor from volleyball. When I was in sixth grade, I was selected to be put on the traveling volleyball club for 12U. I have no idea why I was selected because I didn’t even know how to play at all.
One night, I heard that there was an open gym for the girls that were selected. I went, scared and afraid that I would be left out. When I got there, my worst fears had come true. I was excluded from the rest of the girls and, to be honest, I felt like a complete weirdo. The only girl that came up and talked to me and tried to have me included was Taylor. She left her friends behind to come and play and show me how to do new things.
I believe Taylor Peterson is a great hero — she saved me that night from humiliation, and she also set an example for me. I realized that no matter whom you are or whom your friends are, you can still include anyone and everyone. I try to live by that every day of my life.
Taylor gives me hope even though she is sick. The way she deals with and dealt with the way people were treating her, for no reason other than the reason she was “different” from everyone else, can give hope to anyone. It can show that no matter what you look like on the outside, it doesn’t define who you are on the inside. Her courage, hope and selflessness show the real heroic and strong-willed character she has inside of her.
Heroes are usually just ordinary people that show a little or a lot of extra courage and bravery. That can influence just a few people or numerous people. A hero is not a coward and is not selfish — they have strong wills that keep them going and moving on, taking on the challenges of the world. They do not turn down the challenges just because everyone says, “You can’t do that!” They take on the challenge and don’t give in until the job is done.
Heroes have big kind hearts. They are not self-centered, and they are not afraid to show off who they truly are. To me that is a true hero.
Shelbie Nance is an eighth-grader at Columbia Falls Junior High School.