What Is A Hero? By: Ella Simmons

     We hear the term hero used a lot, but what does it mean exactly? There are so many examples based on the person defining it, the perspective, and the circumstances. When little kids think hero, what generally comes to their mind? Usually a superhero, maybe a princess, or a cartoon character. Once those kids grow up, most of the time their idea of a superhero doesn't involve a cape. A hero to many people once their older can be a parent, a teacher, a heathcare worker, and many more. There are endless possibilities of what a hero could be to someone.

    Sometimes, a hero can be someone you don't know personally, like an athlete, civil rights activist, or celebrity. It can even be someone you don't know the name of - something a person does could be the reason you don't take an action that could have affected you negatively. As an example, I'm watching this show on Hulu right now called "A Million Little Things", and there is a character in it that is an alcoholic. He has been sober for many years, and he almost took a drink at a bar which could have messed up his life again. A man at the bar with him yelled at the television which distracted the character from taking that drink and made him realize that it was a bad decision - this man saved his life even though he didn't know him.

    A hero can even be someone who saves so many people and is a hero to everyone, such as healthcare workers, police, firefighters, and military members. These people risk their lives every day to save millions of people. Although their work doesn't affect everyone directly, without them the world would be different, and in lacking people like them who save others every day.

    A lot of people's heroes are their parents and adult role models that they're close to in life. I would say that my parents are my heroes because of everything they do for me, and so would so many other people. Other examples of heroes could be even characters from a show or book that you can relate to - throughout the story you might learn from this character and find new ways to enjoy life through hearing about their experiences.

    There are so many different examples of heroes in today's world, and they are all different for every single person. A hero doesn't have to have a cape, or even risk their life for someone - they just have to be a person who you trust and who can help you become the best version of yourself you can possibly be.