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

Lainey Horn

My dad. My dad has always been and will forever be, my hero. Growing up I always admired him for his thoughtfulness and compassion towards myself and others. He was warm and inviting, and took the time to listen without judgement. Most of all he was encouraging. He never once told me that I couldn’t accomplish something I set out to do. He was my biggest supporter, and he is the reason I’m on this journey to begin with. Read more>>

K-Major

If I were to name my Hero’s it would have to be my family! My MOM & DAD. My Grandparents. My Siblings. Im the youngest in a family of 5. My mom & dad raised me to be a stand up guy. They taught me hard work gets you what you want, just all around character! My grandparents taught them and continued to feed the family spirituality and persistence. My family came from nothing just a small town called Cartersville, Georgia. Read more>>

Lauren Kalil

I want to reframe the question slightly, but I think the idea of this question will give insight into my approach as a journalist. Instead of “who is my hero,” “who influenced me?” Before getting on the bus for school, I watched the Today Show while many of my friends watched MTV music videos (serious throwback there). Katie Couric drew me in, and I would think, “I want to be a journalist like her.” On 9/11, as she informed viewers of this tragic event happening right down the street, she never lost her composure. She was a calming voice when I’m sure every instinct in her body wanted to express the opposite. Read more>>

Brooke Wester

My Dad is my hero because he has instilled the drive & passion in me to get me where I am today! He is a huge role model in my life, and I don’t know where I would be without him. Read more>>

Elizabeth Stone

This topic is so simple, but it triggers an emotional response almost automatically. My hero is exactly why I’m in the position that I’m in today. My mother, is a first generation immigrant. She came to the US from South Korea in 1983. Being from a very poor family, she never got to go to college and had to turn down scholarships that were offered to her because her family needed her at home. She’s by far the smartest woman I know. Growing up, I saw my mom put her family and children first. My Dad worked always multiple jobs at a time, and my mom not only took care of the home but she also did anything she could for extra income. Read more>>

Shayla Maddox

My hero is Maya Angelou. I always chose to be Maya Angelou for my school and church black history plays. I knew her story so much that I felt like no one could tell her story better than me. I related to her in so many ways and looked to be just like her one day. We both experienced childhood traumas. I understood her feelings very much of keeping silent throughout her younger life. She was literally everything you can think of a mother, teacher, singer, writer, activists and more! I wanted to be just like her, a phenomenal woman with many titles to her name. Read more>>