We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Nikki Ono

My hero is and always will be my mom. From a very young age, she taught me the power of compassion. We didn’t have much—on welfare, no car, moving around constantly—but my mom would always find a way to help. She carried cat food in her backpack as we walked, and we would feed homeless cats we encountered. Despite our struggles, she never said no to helping an animal in need. That experience instilled in me the belief that you should do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals, while staying humble, grateful, and compassionate. Read more>>

Dolly Herron

My heroes have always been the children with whom I work. They often face excruciatingly difficult obstacles just to learn basic skills, yet they are very intelligent and capable. How confusing it must be to be so young and so aware of the fact that things are just not coming easily. I like to tell them that everything in life is balanced. Everyone has weaknesses and everyone has super powers. I explain to my dyslexic students that while I am very creative, I don’t have the gifts that they have to problem solve, think outside the box, and see the world in the uniquely amazing way that they do. I can’t learn it. I can’t buy it. I had to be born with it, and I wasn’t. I can teach them to read and give them the tools the need to succeed in school. But I can never have the priceless gifts with which they were born. Their eyes brighten up and they see themselves in a whole new light. Read more>>

Donavan Robinson

My dad has always been my hero because he has taught me a lot of life lesson that stuck with me and helped me today. When I was a kid and he would drive me to school he would tell me everyday before i got out the care to thank god for waking me up this morning. As a kid I never really understood the gravity behind that but older I get I am truly greatfull for the life that I live. Read more>>

Briggitt Avalos

Well First I Want To Thank God Without Him I’m Nothing I Only Have A Few Heroes I’ll Name Them Here And Why First My Mom Because Honestly Since I Was A Baby Until Right Now She Has Always Been There For Me And Has Taken Care Of Me Trying To Be There Every Way Possible And She Truly Cares And Loves Me Trying To Encourage Me And She’s Like Another Mom To My Baby She Doesn’t Feel Well Sometimes And Yet She Always Pushes Herself The Extra Mile So She Passed That On To Me Also She Passed One Being Sweet Generous And Kind And Understanding And Caring Other Heroes I Have They Don’t Know It But It’s Elvis Presley Johnny Cash Waylon Jennings And Dwight Yoakam Read more>>