We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.
Flavio Romeo
Certainly! Here’s a refined version of your story: — My father, Giuseppe Romeo, is my hero. As the youngest of 13 children, he grew up in poverty in southern Sicily, where he began working at a young age. It wasn’t a choice, but a necessity to help support his family. He started by sweeping floors at a tailor shop just a short walk from his home in Santa Croce di Camerina, a fishing village where he cherished time by the water with friends whenever he could. Read more>>
Kyle And Trista Knudson
Our heroes, without a doubt, are our grandparents and parents who dedicated time and effort to teach us the skills we’re disseminating to the public through our social media channels. In fact, in my perspective it feels a bit like my paternal grandparents dedicated their lives to passing down precious skills to their children and grandchildren. From agriculture to horticulture, fishing to canning, and building to sewing, Grandpa Fred and Grandma Sally left a strong legacy to their children and grandchildren. I can remember using a paring knife to peel apples for canning, operating a sewing machine to patch coveralls, and measuring out the ingredients for homemade cookies from a very young age. I noticed more and more of my friends and acquaintances reaching out with questions about gardening and canning. I also noticed others on social media share their desire for a slower and older way of life. As such, I was driven to teach. Read more>>
Sherine Leslie-gooden
My hero is and has always been my mom, Carlene Williams, who passed away in September 2005. She was the strongest person I’ve ever known. Growing up, I saw her unwavering faith in God and her resilience. Every Saturday, my sister and I would have to be in church. I am truly grateful for this upbringing because this is what helped me to return to God when I walked away. I remember when she took sick; I had never heard her complain or curse God for allowing her to become sick. Instead, she would encourage me to remain in church and serve God. What I admire most is her unwavering kindness and her ability to find joy even in difficult times. Her example taught me the importance of perseverance and compassion. Her life has shown me that even when life is hard, you can still choose to be kind and to keep moving forward with the help of God. That is something that I try to do in my own life. She was a humble, reserved, selfless, disciplined, godly woman, and very thoughtful of others. Her unwavering support and love shaped the person I am today, and her values continue to guide me in every aspect of my life. I strive to honour her memory by embodying the qualities she exemplified, hoping to make her proud each day. She was my encourager and motivator; she would encourage me and other siblings to do our best in school. Her belief in our potential instilled a sense of confidence that has carried me through many challenges. As I navigate my path, I often reflect on her words of wisdom, using them as a compass to steer me towards my goals. Her selflessness and unwavering support have instilled in me a deep sense of compassion for those around me. As I navigate through life’s challenges, I aim to reflect her kindness and generosity, believing that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of others. Read more>>
Sam Rayman
My hero is one of my best friends, Yvonne. She is strong, fearless, and unstoppable. Ten years ago, she had a successful marketing role at Verizon, but she was on the brink of burnout, and wanted to regain control of life. At a time in her life where everyone she knew was working 9-5 jobs, she boldly decided to leave that stability to launch her own marketing agency. Running her own business gave her the freedom to decide which clients/projects to take on, how much she wanted to work, and where she lived. Almost a year to the day, I followed her lead and left the full-time job I had for 12 years to launch my own Design Consultancy, Super Great. And I’ve never looked back. Since then, I’ve lived and traveled all over the world. I’ve spent a few stints in Paris, avoided the last eight NYC winters by living in sunny Melbourne, Australia instead, and even lived on a luxury cruise ship for 3 weeks. I never would have had the courage to take that chance if it weren’t for Yvonne. Read more>>
Yingxuan Dan
If I had to choose one person as my hero, it would be Eminem. He was the first artist who introduced me to hip-hop and rap culture. I first heard his music in middle school, and it completely changed my perspective on music. His lyrics were raw, powerful, and full of emotion, which made me want to understand them better. Since my first language is Chinese, his music motivated me to learn English so I could rap along and truly connect with his words. Read more>>
Kristina Duffy Hochman
One of my heroes is my dad, Rick Duffy, who has been a guiding light for me in both business and everyday life. Four years ago, I took a leap of faith, leaving my role at Estée Lauder Companies to join our family business, the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC), in a completely different space—education. The transition was daunting, but I’ve never looked back. Working alongside my dad and learning from him has been invaluable, and I credit him for my work ethic and my understanding of how to be a business leader. Read more>>