My Hero: City Year’s Writing Contest 9th grade winner

March 1st 2014, midafternoon, I peruse the instructions for this prompt and stare misty-eyed at crimson pictures of Superman on Google. “Who do I consider to be a hero?” is the question that I continuously ask myself. The next question that arrives more simply is—what is a hero? What being a hero entails for me is straightforward: an ordinary individual who is admired for their ethics and achievements, one who leaves a lasting impression on someone’s life. I would definitely consider my mother to be my hero. I am aware that billions of teenagers and children around the world venerate their parents for giving them life, however my mother has impacted my life in a way that I could never truly express. My mother is my hero because she gave me confidence within myself and encouraged me that I could do anything in this vast world we inhabit.

To begin with, my mother has made a significant impact on my life because she has given me something that no one can ever take away from me—confidence. Teenagers today, and specifically young women, are plagued by society’s superficial ideal of what beauty truly is. It’s everywhere you can possibly think of: billboards, television, magazines, and campaigns. Basically, this ideal gives young women the impression that if you don’t fit the qualifications, then you are lesser. Diversity is nonexistent, and it’s easy to be consumed in this twisted game of acceptance. My mother, my hero, would be the only person by my side in the toughest of situations to remind me that I was a beautiful person inside and out. I can honestly say that she loved me before I even knew how to love myself. I can vividly remember those faithful nights when I felt like the worst version of myself, and yet, her calming voice would captivate me, saying, “You have a beautiful smile, eyes, nose, lips…” She would list things for minutes, all the things she deemed “perfect,” until I felt like a completely new individual. It’s the simplest of things that I appreciate the most. If my hero had never given me confidence, then I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Confidence isn’t only being sure of yourself, but being sure of your decisions in life. My mother is my hero for making me constantly feel like a beautiful person.

Moreover, my mother is my hero because she continues to encourage me that I can do anything in life. A wise man once wrote, “There’s nothing better than having someone believe in you.” When it comes to my hero, she’s the only individual who believes in my abilities and my future. I always grew up with the notion that I could do anything I put my mind to; I thought this was the typical saying for all parents, but some children aren’t encouraged to try such a wide range of things. In other words, they are told they can succeed in their parents’ footsteps, or as far as reality allows. My hero always had a way of making me feel special; my mother would tell me that God has something amazing planned for me. I still believe every second of it. My mother inspires me through her beliefs in me to succeed. I cannot yet explain how my hero’s encouragement impacts my life in the future yet, presently speaking, her encouragement has led me to try new things. In her eyes, I can never fail.

In conclusion, my mother is my hero because she makes me feel beautiful inside and out, and she supports and encourages me in every decision I make.

 

 

Dominique Brodie-Wilson is an excellent student in the 9th grade. She was born and raised in West Philadelphia and her favorite subjects are literature and history. Her aspiration is to inspire people and her main goal in life is to make a living doing some- thing that she loves.