Everyday Hero Stories

Where did your values come from?

We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.

Tell Us Your Story
LIVE YOUR DREAMS
RICIA R Mrs. R. and I had a vision that was just pen and paper for almost a year and a half. This vision was to start a Peer Council where the students help the administration give guidance to children and teenagers who have done wrong and help them get back on the right path. There was a form of this before but didn't...
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COURAGE
SUZANNE S The statement 'My mother, the hero' seems to be overdone and generic, though, if you knew my mother you to would recognize her accomplishments. She raised two children alone, cleaning houses and 'scrubbing toilets" to make ends meet. When she got the chance, she jumped back into school full-force. My mother is...
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LIVE YOUR DREAMS
PAUL P Paul is a Scout leader and he teaches scouts. He also oversees all the sections in the Portland group as commissioner and he has many other things for scouting that he does on a daily basis. No matter how busy he is, he always has time to talk to those of us that need a little help and push once in a while. Paul...
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LIVE YOUR DREAMS
MOHIT D This man, named Mohit, was a full-time and hugely successful English-language journalist in India. He gave it all up, including fame and a good salary, just to help kids across India showcase their creativity. He has since launched a website wherein he is providing Indian kids a chance to display their creativity...
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LIVE YOUR DREAMS
AMUTHA S She is standing at the entrance of a company with files. Oh, perhaps she might request employment expressing her disability, one might think. Only half of this is truth. She is seeking employment, not for herself, but for others like her - other physically challenged women. She hasn't had her left forehand right...
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LISTENING
NICKOLAS T My hero is my son Nickolas. Although Nickolas is only 6 and in the first grade, he has an old soul and heart of gold. I am incredibly fortunate that I am able to walk Nickolas to school several days a week while working from home. As a consultant I travel quite a bit, but the days working from home make it all...
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LISTENING
LAUREN M Lauren M. is my World Geography teacher and this is my second year having her (she was my world history teacher last year). She is always there for all of her students. I tell her all my problems and she always has really good advice to give me. After our conversation is finished, I always feel better. She...
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LISTENING
JONAH M Jonah is the singer of a few different bands and he is an angel. Pouring his heart out on stage/off stage/without a microphone/in parking lots after shows. Sharing stories of his life. Also, Jonah contributes part of his (sliding scale) merchandise sales to non-profit organizations. I think for someone who...
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LISTENING
CYNTHIA W My hero is my mother and pastor. She is one of the greatest people, I think, to ever live. She is the best listener in the world. She lives and breathes to make sure I am a success for my kids. She always listens to all of my problems and gives me the best advice even if I don't agree. She is not biased. She is...
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RIGHT CHOICES
DIANNE S Dianne was my teacher in the 4th grade in elementary school. She changed my life in so many ways I cannot begin to name or explain. She was there for me and all my friends through good times and bad times too. She helped me and my friends through some of the hardest times of our life! She is my hero and she...
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LEARNING
DR. THOMAS H Dr. Thomas H. is a Geology professor at North Harris Community College. Not only does he successfully bring an otherwise boring subject in college to life, but he stirs in important real world lessons that we all need. I'd recommend this professor to anyone.
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LEARNING
CARMELA B She's my favorite teacher. She's taught me so many things throughout the years that I've had her. It would be really neat if she would be nominated as someone's hero, just like she is to me.
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LEARNING
JAMES F Mr. James F., a 7th grade science teacher, is my hero. He has been teaching a very long time and he has inspired so many people. He has taught the mothers and fathers of some of his students. He is my hero because over the years science is always going to be hard but he always pushed people to do the very best...
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DEDICATION
DUE D Due is a teacher of English in an inner-city, very diverse high school in New Jersey. She recently led her students to self-publish their own book of poetry and teach younger kindergarten and first grade students in surrounding communities to read and do other worthwhile projects inside the classroom. She did...
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LEARNING
STEPHAN H Stephan passed away on April 15, 2004. He was not only the best grandfather ever; he was the most educated person I ever met. He changed my life so many ways; I could never thank him enough. He always had the answer. He was not only book smart, he was life smart. My grandfather retired from the United States Air...
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LEARNING
MR. L Mr. L. was my 10th grade English teacher. I'm sure he wouldn't remember me, but he had a lasting impression on my life. I was always a top student and prided myself on how smart I was. Mr. L. gave me my first "F." It was one of many in his class, but with each 'F' came the opportunity to earn back points by...
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LEARNING
MRS. O My Mum taught me how to pronounce words. Mr. Ohiagu taught me how to read. But Mrs. O. taught me how to love books. In her, I have a hero of a teacher who finds pleasure in improving, to a great extent, her students, even after school hours. This woman took me as her child and made me a lover of knowledge as she...
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CARING
JAIME P I call him my hero. He not only taught me everything I know about Martial Arts, but he also taught me how to love, and how to care. He wasn't just another guy in my life who did some great stuff and then slowly faded away. He was always there when I was in need of help. Whenever I was down, he was there to pick...
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CHARACTER
JUSTIN P Courage. Character. Integrity. Inspiration. Selflessness. These are words describing my nominee, Justin - a former student of mine and an enduring friend. Justin is still dealing with a lot of medical and neurological issues that started a few years ago. However, he has been a true hero to me because of all...
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REACHING OUT
MATTHEW B Matt was my high school creative writing teacher and is now my friend. He guided me through crucial times in my life that could have turned out much worse if he was not there. He selflessly offered empathy, wisdom and kindness, going out of his way to engage when I needed it most. On these principles, he later...
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REACHING OUT
DYLAN W Dylan has had a multitude of problems, most of which were simply the vicissitudes of life. He has dealt with emotional problems including depression and anxiety, which have been overwhelming at times. In an attempt to help other young men, he was beaten up and left unconscious which caused an irrationality of...
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REACHING OUT
KATHLEEN S In my eyes, Mrs. S. needs to be a hero for what she has done for my older son who has autism. My 19-year-old son, Bryon, has a long story behind his life, but I will make this short. He has never had a drum lesson in his life and he went to this now retired music teacher, Mrs. S. She let Bryon play the drums...
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HUMILITY
JOE P I nominated a softball coach of mine named Joe P. He has coached me since I was eight years old and has been an inspiration to me. He was always kind to all the girls on my team and cared about us more then you could ever believe. He owns a restaurant and after games he would treat us to dinner. He is a very...
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HOPE
HOBERT W I chose Hobert for my hero because was a great man and was loved by many! He gave me hope for my future, he made feel better when I was sad; he gave me a reason to live; and he helped me choose a career for college that I'm going to stick with it. Hobert is my grandfather (my gramps ) who died in early 2005. He...
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COMMON GROUND
MARY ELLEN C There are so many people doing wonderful things to encourage individuals to recover from or live their best life with mental illness. For me though, one person stands out for me and this one person gave back to me my "hope" that I could achieve what I desired and live a happy life. Mary Ellen inspires...
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HARD WORK
CATHERINE S She's my mom, my great mom. She sent me to school because she amazingly believes in education. Although she can't really afford it, she's insisting. She has a faith of an ocean. The troubles, conflicts, and finance obstacles may come, but never once does she give up. I love her because she sells her products just...
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COMMON GROUND
MARK F Mark is one of the most incredible men I have ever known. He came to me when the rest of the world seemed to abandon me. He was selfless, giving, decent, gentle, kind and honest, when he didn't have to be. As I lived my life dying of alcohol and drug addiction, he humbly shared with me his own experience. He...
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HOPE
OLINDA C "Never give up hope in humanity, no matter how many times people fail, your heart breaks or dreams are shattered- just keep hoping." My mother said the prior quote. Inspiring words from a woman who has at times received a raw deal from life - a business going broke, poverty and a husband's unemployment. She...
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HARD WORK
MINA B My hero - it is my grandma. She got married to my grandpa and came to Dhanbad in Bihar. Starting a life on her own as a primary Bengali School teacher in Carmel Convent. She did her job excellently with full loyalty and commitment never missing a single day in school despite she had an ailing son at home. She...
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HARD WORK
ANNIE S My grandmother, Annie, is my hero. When I was a baby, she and my grandfather raised me because my mother and father could not care for me properly at the time. She would take me to school everyday, teach me lessons about life and always be honest with me. She loved me unconditionally when I was good or bad. I...
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HELPING OTHERS
JACKELINE O I read a lot of the stories written by people who have a person in their life that they consider a hero because of an extraordinary thing they have done. I am nominating my dear friend Jackie. She is an amazing woman, she is always helping others, and all I can say is that it's in her nature. Jackie also has a...
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CARING
JOSH S Josh has been a big inspiration to me. He has helped me through baseball season as he was my baseball coach. He led us to the European Championship game and we won. I recently was injured and I need surgery to repair the injury. Josh has taken time off to take me to my doctor appointments and has decided to take...
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HELPING OTHERS
JOANNE M My hero is my mother, Joanne. She lives her life with grace, dignity, and a "never give-up" attitude. She has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since her early adulthood, and has survived four bouts of cancer. But, you wouldn't know it. She is grateful for all of her many blessings and sees suffering as part of...
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