Definition of a Hero Essay

Naomi Yohannes

12/18/12

Definition of a Hero Essay

When I think of a hero I immediately think of someone who is strong, intelligent, handsome, and daring. However, upon closer examination, I see many different qualities for a hero. Courage, honesty, and bravery, and the will to try are just a few of the qualities of heroism. The definition of heroism changes with the background and time. Though, when I observe different heroes, I see that each hero has their own special quality, but not every hero needs to be legendary, or needs to have magical powers. A hero can be defined as someone who has solid principles. The person doesn't have to be the bravest person in the world. He or she can be one of the most terrified people on this planet, but they can overcome anything when they set their mind to it.

I have read many books and watched many movies that have revolved around the main character who happened to be the hero or heroine. For instance, a well-known fictional character would be someone like Percy Jackson. Percy Jackson is a recognized name throughout the world. He is known as the 'Son of Poseidon' or 'The Lightening Thief', but to put those statements into simple words - he is a hero. He defeated an evil titian and saved the world. Clearly, when you think of someone who did something as remarkable and significant as Percy Jackson did, you would instantly think of a hero, but have you ever really looked outside of stories? In the real world, where real issues occur?

It was a regular school day for the students and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Students and teachers in the classes, who were in the middle of a teaching session, heard a sound: Pop, pop, pop. It was then that the sound of gunfire rang through the halls. The principal, Dawn Hochsprung, left the safety of her office and with the Vice Principal and Physiologist, Mary Sherlach, dashed towards the area where gunshots were firing. Only the Vice Principal arrived back alive, but severely wounded. After the announcement of the lockdown, the teachers immediately closed their classrooms and did their best to keep their students calm. Many of them read them a story to reassure them everything was going to be fine. A teacher had pulled two students into her classroom while they were wandering the halls. The boy's parents now see this teacher as their son's hero. Once the police came and evacuated them, the teachers had told the children to "Close their eyes and hold hands". Victoria Soto, a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, had told the children to shut their eyes when the gunman burst into their classroom. Soto had concealed them in the closet and locked the students in, and the gunman shot her. Soto did not make it out alive. These teachers did everything in their power to save these young children who were unaware of the situation until afterwards.