Looking for Heroes

Beyond the Big & Little Screens

Everyone is talking about heroes these days. And not just the ones who show off their superhuman powers in television shows and movies. But also the heroes who inspire us by stepping up to the challenge to do the right thing. Like the Rutgers girls' basketball team, who exhibited grace under fire from a talk show host's verbal abuse. And the heroes who

• Make the most of their natural gifts through discipline and focus. Like scientists, artists, and athletes.
  
• Serve and help others. Like educators, doctors, nurses, and firefighters.
  
• Do volunteer work. Like young people helping older citizens or collecting money to remove landmines.

People today are looking for heroes who are positive role models, who show us the best of human nature. These role models uplift us and instruct us how to live a more positive, purposeful life.

How can you help students recognize the heroes around them? You might begin with a discussion of "What is a hero?" Here are some quotations you could use as conversation starters:

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
     —Maya Angelou

Without heroes we're all plain people and don't know how far we can go.
     —Bernard Malamud

The hero is the man who lets no obstacle prevent him from pursuing the values he has chosen.
     —Andrew Bernstein

A boy doesn't have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't enough to go around.
     —Edgar Watson Howe

I believe it is the nature of people to be heroes, given the chance.
     —James A. Autry

After you discuss the quotations, have the students write their own description of what a hero is or a description of one of their heroes. These exercises can form the bases of future lessons on doing the right thing.

Studying heroes reminds us that we, too, can help make the world a better place, a place where excellence of mind and body can prevail.

Related Links

Everyday Heroes in Action - Why we must tell their stories.

The Face of Courage – Alabama member risks her life to save students.

Heroes and Icons – The top one hundred heroes and icons. From Time Inc.

CNN Heroes – Dorine Kenney collects donations for soldiers from an elementary school class.  (video 2:56 min)