VKZ Writer Digest Vol. 1

Vegas Kids Zone VKZ

The VKZ Fiction Writing Contest is happening!! Kids ages 8-18 will have the chance to submit their short stories to be read, judged and included in the VKZ Magazine and our lucky winners will be published in the VKZ Anthology coming soon! Submissions open June 3.

OurStaff.

Editor in Chief Angelina Agasi

Contributors Aiden, Ava, Bentley, Connor, Cruz, Davis, Davita, Dylan, Elijah, Gabby, Graysen, Jaden, Justyn, Kaden, Liliana, Madeline, Matthew, McKenna, Natano, Nay, Parker, Raquel, Riley, Sara, Scarlett, Sophie, Suzie, Victor

Publisher Kimberley McGee

Copy Chief Sara Matteo

Designer Angelina Agasi

Do you have a funny story, original poem, drawing or essay about your pet or family?! Send us your creative work and get published in the VKZ Magazine! Every entry is entered for a chance to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards! Every published entry receives a certificate of publication. Send your original creative work to Kim@VegasKidsZone.com for consideration! Get featured in VKZ Magazine!

Someone who motivates me in my life is my greatgranddaddy from my mother’s side, Kenneth R. Hawkins, Sr. He was born in 1918, and received his Bachelor's and Master degrees from the California Polytechnic Institute in San Louis Obispo. He was a black American. His schooling was interrupted in 1945 by World War Il when he joined the Army Air Corps, which later became the United States AirForce.

Aiden

When the opportunity came for him to become part of the Tuskegee Experiment, he and his brother Donald became two of the first black pilots to serve in the United States Military, remembered today as the Tuskegee Airmen. They built an impressive combat record and helped the Allies.

When World War II ended, they put the U.S. armed forces on the road to integration. Kenneth became a bomber pilot and teacher, his specialty being the B-25 aircraft. After the war ended, he remained in the Air Force Reserves until being honorably discharged with the rank of Major.

After World War II, Kenneth completed his college education and began working as a schoolteacher at Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles California.

He taught several subjects including mathematics, science, and history but agriculture was his favorite and main subject.

On Friday nights and weekends, he kept the school gym open so the students who wanted to stay out of trouble would have a place to go. Kenneth combined his skills as an accomplished photographer, horticulturist by opening up his own photography and floral shop. He often supplemented his school teaching job with taking pictures at weddings and supplying floral arrangements at weddings, funerals, and parties. Many of the pictures he took became portfolios for models, actors, and actresses throughout his life.

Kenneth was the quintessential Good Samaritan. He and my great- grandmother, Jeanne, were always willing and ready

Aiden Cont.

to help someone in need whenever they cross paths with someone in need of a meal, clothes to wear, a place to sleep for the night, or even a job. He and Jean would open their home and finances, and helping in whatever the way they could. I remember a story my mom told me about him and how he made a plan to go and fly a military aircraft with some other pilots and told them to pack their grooming bags. He had said that something was wrong with the plane and that he needed to make an emergency landing in New York City. He knew exactly where he was going. He was going to see his fiancé at the time, my great-grandma who was in Black American’s Nursing School. He entered the parlor and told them he was there to see Jeanne Little. She was surprised and happy to see him. In the 1940s, black women couldn’t go to just any nursing school in the U.S. They visited and then said their goodbyes. Members of the fighter group were tasked with escorting bomber planes on their missions. The escorts protected the bombers in flight and attacked enemy aircraft that might fire at the bombers. According to historian Daniel Hallman, the Tuskegee Airman flew 312 missions, of which 179 were bomber escort missions, between June 1944, and April 1945. The Tuskegee airmen faced segregation on base. A nonviolent protest at Freeman Field in Indiana in 1945 became known as the Freeman Field Mutiny. The commander separated, accommodations by race,which was

against army rules. When the Bombardment Group was transferred there, black personnel were miscategorized as trainees so the white officers wouldn’t have to share their officers club with them. In April 5, 1945, my greatgranddaddy and some of the black airman peacefully walked into the club anyway. All of the black officers at Freeman Field were told to sign a document, agreeing to “separate but equal” policies on military bases, and the 101 black personnel who refused were arrested, including Kenneth Hawkins. Eventually, three were courtmartialed and one was convicted of insubordination.

During World War II, individual fighter groups set themselves apart by giving the tails of their planes a distinctive paint job. This made it easier to coordinate large flight formations and helped bomber crews recognize friendly aircraft. In July 1944, members of the 332nd fighter group began flying P-51 Mustang planes with tails painted solid red. Soon, the Tuskegee Airman (as a group) were nicknamed “red tails.” A 2012 George Lucas produced film by the same name factionalized this units success in shooting down German fighter planes during World War II. In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, bestowed by the United States Congress, for their “unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the armed forces.” my great granddaddy sadly died on June 15, 2003. He will always be remembered in my heart from the stories that I’ve been told.

I Love My Aunt

When I see my aunt Janis, I get really excited And I see those beautiful blue eyes staring right into mine. When times are rough, she helps me get through them, she is kind, generous, and is really strong, and she makes me happy, she makes me smile. That brave, courageous spirit is always inside her, with that blonde wavy hair shining in the sun. Her happiness shows all the time, and her fun humor makes me laugh. And it’s final, I love my aunt.

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Bentley

Why My Mom is My Hero

My hero is my mom. My hero is my mom because she is always there for me and will help me get through things. She is always there for me by helping me with my homework and and supporting me in hockey.She helps me get through things by always saying positive things and getting me what I need. She also supports me by waking up making a smoothie for me and driving

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me to a hockey rink early in the morning. She is my hero because if I’m feeling sad or not feeling just right, she will comfort me and snuggle up with me to feel better.

My mom is my hero for these stories. One time I was at the beach with my mom and I was in the ocean and looking for some crabs with some kind of net. So I was looking for some crabs and when I was in the ocean I saw a crab and I “swooshed” my net and I missed! I had no momentum to get the crab because I already swung my net at it! I was running out of the ocean and said, “MOM HELP ME”! My mom came to the rescue and she got me right out of the water and carried me away from the crab. Another reason my mom is my hero is for another story. One day, my mom and I were just walking around our neighborhood park.We decided to take about 1 hour instead of 30 minutes for a

walk. We got to the area where there is a huge patch in the middle of the park. I was thinking, “hey mom can we run across this patch” and my mom said “ yes ” . I was running with our dogs and “thump, thump, thump”, I hear an animal running straight towards us and I looked over to my left. Then I see a loose dog chasing me while the owners are behind and can’t keep up. So the dog is chasing me, and my moms yells to the dog, “GET AWAY!” Now I’m still scared at this moment because the dog keeps chasing me and I’m running for my life, but the dog is to fast. So you know what my mom does? She gets out her belt and starts running and yelling, “GET AWAY NOW!” at the dog. So that dog is like ten feet away and my mom is still catching up. So we are both super scared by now, but the dog was right on my tail and I did a move on the dog to give me and my mom some

Bentley Cont.

some time. By the time I made a move on this dog, my mom had caught up and she hit that dog with all her force in that belt while still not getting bit. After, my mom whipped the ground in front of the dog. The dog got scared and ran away from us and I was safe. So that is another reason my mom is a hero. One last reason my mom is a hero, is because of another dog story. This dogs name was Jax and he was not very aggressive. This time it was your normal day and I was just relaxing watching Guava Juice, a YouTube channel on my couch. My brother was playing video games, and my mom was probably on some social media account. My dog Jax was just laying around and doing nothing. Jax jumped up in the air onto the couch! He had just bit me. I was crying and crying. I was not having a good day. But my mom came in clutch. She had yelled at the dog, “ HEY GET OFF!” then Jax got off me. My mom had then taken me to the hospital which I am very thankful for. Luckily, I did not have rabies which meant my dog Jax did not have rabies. But in the hospital the doctors did heal the wound. It was super bloody but luckily not deep. But this is another reason my mom is my hero. These are all of the reasons my mom is my hero. She is brave, helpful, positive, and most of all loving and caring. She is my hero because she helped me when I got bit

by a dog, she helped me when I was chased by a dog and helped me not pinched by a crab. Thank you mom.

While maybe, most wish to be inspired by fantasy characters or various other strong fictitious role models, perhaps from their childhood. And yet for me, it would have to be a person from history or today's history. Ben Shapiro is the person who fits these criteria for me.

Whether it’s Ben’s knowledge about how or why the many various abstract ideas work within the world, and the

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straightforward way he tells it. Or the mindfulness and sometimes the opposite of it he takes when talking with someone.

He is a prime example of why education is so important to navigating through society comfortably today and always.

He has consistently put a priority on education, or at least thinking about a subject thoroughly enough that you feel you have thought of both sides.

While the world of politics can be stressful and insane sometimes, Ben keeps his life in the number one place in his mind; maintaining a marriage, friends, and other hobbies and interests. It’s great to see a person who can be well-educated but also entertaining and amusing.

Ben’s large success throughout his career

C o n n o r Future

Motivational Speaker

and life goes back to childhood when he had many questions and his guardian answered as many of the questions as they could. And when they couldn't, they told him to go to his dad’s intellectual friends who’d answer Ben’s questions.

.This guided him to become more thoughtful and question things. So why wait on thinking and doing when you can start now and hope to be a good, thoughtful person as early as possible? Which is what I strive to be doing.

Ben has gone to various college campuses to help inform the younger generations of the positions they hold so earnestly and how they don’t know everything, though they are free to think so. However, Ben allows them to display their point, and if they have a good enough argument, it should stand up to scrutiny. Ben “destroys” these people with facts and logic.

Connor

All the reasons I attempt to be more like Ben, whether ideologically or morally, stem from the fact that I feel as if I couldn’t stand up to him in any way. Maybe one day I’ll be able to say that I’ve measured up and worked as much as I can. To be able to say that I’ve had as much of a successful life as his. While no life has no strife, it’s about how you push through that strife and encourage others to push through their strife. It proves to everyone that you are ready for anything and you can become an inspiration to others.

While others will hate him, you can’t argue with his life. Therefore, I find Ben to be an inspiration; due to his nature of being comfortable with himself and humorous while staying educated and knowledgeable about the subjects that he talks about. And to me that proves that above all else, knowledge and kindness outweigh any kind of other motive to do something

My hero, the person who inspires me, is my mom. My mom is because one time when I was three or two years old, I was riding my tricycle around the pool and then I fell in to the water. I didn’t know how swim. My mom came out at the right time and jumped in the pool and me saved from drowning. Plus, I was scared and happy at the same time. Next this happens. I won’t worry because now I know how to swim, but might be worried if

Cruz

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there is a bunch of like pool inflatables above me with people on them. I will never drive a tricycle around a pool ever again, because I’m not that dumb and I probably can’t even fit on it. I think you should also not do this if you don’t know how to swim, unless someone is watching you do it. Tell this everyone you know. I would want to know what you would and what happen if you did the same thing as me, when you were the same age. If your parents saw you fall into a pool and you don’t know how to swim would you try to swim or scream for help?

My mom is also my hero because she had helped me a lot like giving me food, getting clothes, getting gifts for my birthday, and Christmas. Without her I wouldn’t be a thing, because of her I have a good education and good health.When I grow up I will do the same thing with my

kids. I will feed them, buy them clothes, and find a school for them when they grow up. My mom has also saved me by telling me when to cross the road and when not to. She told to not go in a car or van with a stranger, even if they say or on the car or van its says “free candy”, or something a kid would want. One time, I also fell down on my bike because I tried doing a trick and messed up and then I had a really bad scratch on my knee. I was looking and there was truck coming. They couldn’t see me and my mom saved me and also saved my bike from getting crushed or rolled over. I had the scratch for almost a whole year and then it became a scar. I remember my mom took me inside and had to get a type of healing spray and it hurt so bad when they put it on the scratch. I do remember one more time that my mom saved me, when I was 2 or 3 years old. I remember

my older sister locked the bathroom door with me inside. When I tried unlocking the door it unlocked but wouldn’t open. I started crying and I thought I was going to be stuck there forever, until my mom unscrewed the door knob and then the door was able to open. These are the reasons why my mom is my hero.

Heroes among Us

What is a hero? It is someone you look up to and admire. Let me tell you about my heroes.

I am Davita, and I am 9 years old. My favorite things are crocheting and art. Supported by my parents, I even started my own lemonade business. I was only eight years old, and now Davita's Lemonade" is quite popular, and customers come

Davita

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back more than once. Both my parents support me in all the good things I do. I donate 10% of my lemonade profits to the homeless people. From my business I have already made $1250!

I really appreciate my hero, Mrs Andy. She is my art teacher, and she always inspires me when I am doing art. Because of her, my art has leveled up. I really give big thanks to her. I went to Bash and Design for my birthday party, and it was amazing!!! Mrs Andy is a very patient and kind teacher. Mrs. Andy is very helpful when I make mistakes, and she always makes sure that everyone in class stays on track. Mrs Andy inspired me to start selling my art with my lemonade. "Davita's Lemonade & Creations" will feature my drawings, crocheted beanies, bags, and my delicious lemonade!

I cannot forget that my Dad is my hero, too. He is my business manager. My Dad is teaching me about expenses, profit and loss, and how much to charge for my lemonade. I am only nine years old, so my Dad is also my driver, and he helps me with packaging. He is a great support, and I am learning so much from him about selling and Customer service.

My sister Davina, has followed in my footsteps and also has a business, a cookie business. She had started her cookie business about four months after me, and I hope I inspired her by winning my second award for my lemonade business.

“Davina’s sweet treats” used to sell marshmallows in chocolate with pretzel sticks, and sugar cookies. Now she sells many different varieties of cookies such as Cookie

Davita Cont.

Monster cookies, Red velvet cookies, and M&M chocolate cookies!

The most loved cookies are M & M Chocolate cookies and the monster cookies. And she had started when she was only six years old!

My brother Draven, also has a business where he sells sugar cookies but he is not consistent yet, and he is still learning to be consistent.

He started when he was five years old and now he is six years old. He had started selling a year after me on May 8th 2023 and back then he was selling snacks and sodas/water and the name was, “Draven’s snack stash” and now he is mostly selling sugar cookies car shaped cookies and we have not changed the name yet. So I guess I’m a hero for my siblings to start their own business.

One more hero is my grandma because she helped with crocheting. I started to learn to crochet last year when I was 8 years old, and my grandma is the one who got me started. My grandma taught me how to crochet, I now also go to classes and my grandma also teaches me and I’m going to learn a lot about crocheting.

And just the other day I was out and about, and someone saw my crossbody crochet phone bag and asked if she could order one of them.

My Mom is another of my heroes. She always helps me with all the good things in life. With her help, I have won awards for my lemonade business, which makes me very happy. My Mom made my dream of selling lemonade a reality.

Do you have an idea or dream to create something like my lemonade business?

I hope I have inspired you and you will look around for the heroes in your life.

My Mom

A hero that inspires me is my mom. She is one of a kind, I couldn’t live without her. She inspires me to help other people and care for others, just like she does for me, her friends, and even strangers. She isn’t perfect, but she is good enough for me, I couldn’t need more, and nothing or no-one is better than her. I love her with all my heart, just like she loves me. I like when she cooks for me when I'm hungry, the

Dylan

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food she makes is very delicious and tasty. She is also kind to my friends, she offers them food, and makes sure that they feel comfortable in her house. She helps me when I am sad, and she gives me time to he alone if I want to. I like when she listens to me, and she doesn't ignore me when I need to talk to her.

She makes me laugh, she cheers me up, if I am upset or angry. She helps me follow my dreams on whatever I want to be.

She helps me with my homework, and she encourages me to keep on going and not give up when I want to accomplish something. She pushes me to do good, get ahead on work and grades. When she tells me to do extra practice every day I know my mom is doing it just to make my grades better, and get ahead on a-lot of things possible.

My mom lets me choose which sports I want to pick, and my favorite is futbol (soccer). My mom almost always lets me have free time, to practice for sports, or relax outside. She also plays with me, even futbol. When we go back inside, she lets me rest or play video games. Other times, she helps me learn more Spanish, to talk to the other side of my family inside Mexico.

My mom helps me get through hard stuff in life, and she doesn’t fight a lot with me. When its almost time to go to bed, she lets me read books that I have. She always makes sure that I brushed my teeth and I washed my hands, she wants me to stay healthy so that I can go on in life.

When I am physically hurt, she does anything she can to heal me, even sending me to the doctor if its really bad. She makes sure I don’t get sick or get an infection, and has

safety precautions to make sure I don’t break a bone or anything close to or worse than that.

My mom cooks good and healthy food for me, and we also like to cook food together. She makes sure I don’t eat too much candy, even though I don't really like it. When I am very hungry, she finds any place to get food, or she will cook it herself. I really love my mom, more than she could ever love me. I have so many words for her, but I am gonna say 3. Thank you, Mom.

Elijah

Heroes Among Us

People often have someone they look up to. Someone they can count on to be a reflection of what a grown man or woman should be. Some see those traits in parents, siblings, or friends, while others may find them in a character from media or literature, as I have. This person doesn't even utter a single sentence, but his actions speak volumes about the kind of person he is, and . signedby

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the person I strive to be. This person is Link, the Hero of Twilight.

Link, from ‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess’, is a very responsible iteration of the main protagonist in the Legend of Zelda series. Throughout the game, he works tirelessly to defend his home from evil, terroristic forces that aim to harm those he loves. But his responsibility doesn't just come in the form of heroism, it also comes from how he treats the simple tasks of life. Throughout the entire tutorial of the game, he’s helping his neighbors with finding cats, catching fish, delivering cradles, and herding goats. He does menial chores without complaint, where others may put them off and dawdle.

Link, despite being mute, is also quite the people person.

He goes out of his way to take care of and entertain the neighborhood kids, showing them swordplay, slingshots, and helping them chase monkeys. Even when they steal his things and misbehave, he still enjoys his time with them and makes sure they're happy too. But this quality doesn't just extend to childhood friends, it also extends to strangers. Whenever there’s someone in dire need of assistance, he’s always there to lend a helping hand, even if it doesn't directly benefit him or would serve to hinder his progress. But in doing so, he saved the lives of countless people, while others looked the other way in response to their plight.

Link, being the inheritor of the ‘Triforce of Courage’, has also shown extreme feats of bravery alongside his accomplishments. Some examples of this would be when he took down an entire

Elijah Cont.

army of Bulblins by himself or when he faced the embodiment of malice, Ganondorf, and never once faltered in his task to save the land. Even when he was irreversibly turned into a wolf by Zant, he never stopped pursuing him, even with the horrific realization that he may never go back to the way he was before. And for this bravery, he was rewarded with being returned to his true form, along with obtaining the Master Sword.

Link, while being an inspiration for those in the game, served to be an inspiration for those playing it as well. His actions show developing minds that you should always do the right thing, regardless of if it doesn't benefit you in the slightest, or even if it hinders you in some way. It shows them that going out of their way to help friends and being a role model spreads more goodness worldwide. And, above all else, it shows us that anyone can be a hero as long as you help others around you, no matter the size of your task. Because whether you ’ re delivering food or slaying an evil tyrant, every positive action you make, has an even more positive effect on those around you.

Gabi

My Mom, My Hero

I remember mornings waking up to the smell of fresh pancakes steaming on the dining room table. I remember days when I would go to sleep thinking of my amazing day. However, I also remember days when existing was difficult because I couldn't find my favorite snack in the pantry. These are situations I remember vividly. Now, guess who made those steaming

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pancakes, and who was in all those memories I held at night, and then guess who would go to the store just because we ran out of Extra Cheesy Goldfish? It was, and is, my mom. She is one of the best people in my life, and she deserves to have a few moments of glory as this story is read. I could tell many stories of her amazing strengths and challenges, but as I was writing I decided on a very specific one, as it is very close to my heart.

As a child, my mother went through a lot. She was diagnosed with pretty severe asthma at a young age and went through some operations. She was only 3 when she went through her first Asthma operation. I know that growing up with an illness such as that was more than difficult. She couldn't participate in a lot of sports that interested her, and she could never overwork herself because she needed to

keep a steady amount of oxygen. My mom lived all of her childhood and a huge part of her adulthood in Poland, where treatment wasn't expensive but isn't as advanced as it is in the U.S. This made life with Asthma much more difficult and risky. I remember her often telling me how things would be for her at her worst times. She also introduced me to her saying, "If something is meant to happen, then it will happen". She lived a great part of her childhood repeating that phrase to herself. It was like a mantra to keep her well when she was going through this. She obviously had the assistance of her parents, but naturally, they couldn't always be there for her. So she went on, using it over and over throughout the worst times in her life. Then, she got better. She outgrew her Asthma over time. Now she uses this phrase to help more people, like me.

Gabi Cont.

I would like to mention that this saying plays a big part in my life too. I grew up with an anxiety disorder that mostly revolved around the fear of not being able to breathe. It's crazy to me how she went through all of that when, with asthma, I would be terrified to take a walk. What I wanted to bring to your attention with this story, is that my mother has been through lots, yet persevered through it. She inspires me each day to keep my head held high and never give up. No matter how hard life gets, I know that she, and her quote will be here to help me get through.

My Biggest Hero she is always there setting a great example she's so smart and cool she'll always inspire me she supports me and helps me she is very kind she is so understanding and reliable she is the perfect sister she is my biggest hero

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My Mom mom loves me a lot mom is my hero because she is my support mom loves me a lot because she watches me play baseball

Graysen

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Who Inspires Me?

People who inspire me are people who want to learn or already know how to program with computers, specifically coding. These are my reasons why. First of all, people who are learning coding do not give up. Learning how to code is a hard process. My second reason is that after learning how to code, they continue to code instead of deciding to abandon coding and that would put their knowledge of coding all in

Jaden

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vain. My last reason for this is that I am learning how to code and I like to follow in their footsteps. My first reason is that people learning how to code with computers do not give up even though the process is very complicated. I know this because I have watched videos called DevLogs. Devlogs are videos that programmers created to show their experience creating a software or game. DevLogs are usually made by people beginning to learn how to code. I also know this because this has actually happened to me before. One time when I was using a simple coding programming software, I wanted to immediately skip to a one that was made for intermediates and I did not understand it. I felt like giving up. Luckily, I chose not to.

Secondly, programmers choose not to abandon the skills they have built up.

Learning how to code can be difficult but even after learning code, it can be even harder. I know this because of specific Devlog made by a youtube channel callled Pontypants. The Devlog shows his struggle after learning how to code. I highly recommend it to a more mature audience. It is hard to make money while developing a game or software. If you are working while making a game the game or software almost never gets done.

Lastly, Programmers inspire me because I am a programmer and I hope to follow their path. I have been interested in coding ever since I was 7. When a teacher showed me a website called code.org and another named scratch.mit.edu. I was very interested in these websites because it made me feel like I could create my own game and publish it.

Jaden Cont.

But I did not know how to create an account and I never used it until when I was 9 I immediately got started on Scratch as soon as I learned how to make an account after using Scratch for a while I moved on to Javascript (a programming language) where a learned a lot about coding so I moved on to C# (also a programming language) where I am now and the more I watch devlogs made by youtubers the inclined I am to code more. They give me useful information like what mistakes not to make while programming. In conclusion people that inspire me are people who want to learn or already know how to program. My reason people who are learning coding inspire me is because they choose not to give up. Learning how to code can be a hard and tedious process. My second reason is that after learning how to code, they continue to code instead of deciding to abandon coding and that would make their learning of coding all just for nothing. My last reason for this is that I am learning how to code and I like to follow in their footsteps.

I always say, “You don’t have to be big or strong to do big things or dreams!” Also, I do not think that all superheroes wear capes, sometimes they are called dad, like my superhero dad, Joseph Boumah.

My dad is both physically and spiritually strong! He can lift me up high in the sky; and he always says God gives him the strength to take care of me by going to work everyday and playing baseball with me,

Justyn

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even when he is very sleepy after working all night long. Watching my dad pray and play motivates me to do my best because I know God can give me strength in times that I may feel like I am weak.

My dad also fights for his family. For example, recently my dad inspired me a lot because he was a graduate from cooking school! I went to his graduation and yelled and clapped for him! He got to wear a black cap and gown and he really inspired me to be a cook, too. My dad also fights for his family. For example, recently my dad inspired me a lot because he was a graduate from cooking school! I went to his graduation and yelled and clapped for him! He got to wear a black cap and gown and he really inspired me to be a cook, too. Although I have always liked to cook, I stopped doing it. However now, again because of my dad, he has helped me to

want to go to school for cooking and inspired me to start doing my Chef Justyn show on YouTube and making my fun recipes all over again. My dad teaches me how to be a man. He also teaches me wisdom, generosity, and integrity. Dad says, “Integrity is really important!” I say, “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking.” My superhero dad helps me do the right thing all of the time.

My dad is my superhero because he always motivates me to be my very best. When I am sad he takes the time to cheer me up and he motivates me to keep going by saying lots of positive words to me. His positive words always make me feel better. He makes me feel like I can do anything!

In conclusion, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ”Take the first step in faith. You

Justyn Cont.

don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." My dad teaches me how to believe and have faith in others, myself, my family, and God. I have lots of goals and dreams and my dad believes I can do anything. He is always there for me, even when I am trying out something new. My ideas do not always work but whenever I fall he helps me to get right back up.

My dad is my best friend and I love him so much! He helps me practice my French. He helps me to build my gigantic LEGO sets and reads my favorite stories to me when I have to go to bed. This is really important because I do not like to go to bed!

My dad is my superhero! My dad is the best dad ever! There is no dad, on this planet, better than him! Thank you for reading my story!

My Heroes Are My Parents and Family

My heroes are my mom and dad. They do so much for me. More than I could ever ask for. They help me with my homework, my baseball, and my assignments. They put me in private school for my education. They drive me to school so I don’t have to ride the bus. If I’m down, they help me. If I’m sick, they take me to the doctor. When it’s my birthday they throw me a party.When I do good

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on something, they let me know by congratulating me. They tell me they love me every single day. They are always in the stands when I play baseball whether its cold, windy, or hot. They are always there for me. They sacrifice their time watching my games cheering me on, when they could be doing something else, but nope they are there every single time no matter the cost. There’s nothing I could say that’s bad about them in my life. Two times every year we go to Florida to see some family and friends. We get a Airbnb for party’s and sleepovers. We go there for the summer and winter: for the 4th of July and Christmas. In Florida we go play beach volleyball, play in the water, work out, fish, go on boat rides on the ocean and on rivers and lakes, we snorkel in the ocean and we do all of this with some of our best friends Peyton and Sam. They are

life long friends and not like sisters’ friends and brothers’ friends. No, we all hang out with each other. Sometimes the girl (Peyton) is hanging out with me more than the boy (Sam). They are all older than me, including my sister Kailie (16), and Sam and Peyton are twins (13). Sometimes over spring break we do things like going skiing, seeing friends, going on a road trip.

All my family lives in Florida, including my grandparents, my cousins, and too many aunts and uncles to count. We see them every time we go and see my cousins and grandma and uncle the most. One of my uncles is a veteran, he is a Sergeant and has many awards, I’m not sure if he had fought in a war or not but whether or not he is a cool guy. There are many professions in my family. My uncle is a computer guy for Royal Caribbean and gets to design stuff for them. One of my

Kaden Cont.

other uncles is an architect and redesigns old Taco Bells and my other uncle is a Fire Fighter and goes in buildings and saves lives every single day. My parents own a biological company called Southern Nevada Environmental Incorporation (SNEI). Their company makes sure that when projects are built, that no tortoises, animals or endangered plants get killed during construction. I really admire what my parents do.

In conclusion, my heroes are my parents and family. They are my heroes because, they do great things, and support and love me. So next time you see your family make sure to thank them for what they do for you!

Madeline

My Heroes, My Parents

My heroes are my parents. I chose my mum and dad because they are loving, and family oriented. They also are very supportive. They also are always there for me when I’m feeling down, they also stop me from getting hurt, and sacrifice a lot of things for my siblings and I. They also made the brave decision for us to move here to the USA from Australia.

Firstly, I told my parents

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that I would like to be a lifeguard when I grow up. So, they got me into a good swim club so I can improve my swimming. This is one of the first things you need to do to become a lifeguard. They also come to all my swim competitions/meets and cheer for me while I'm swimming, I know this because I can hear them when coming up to breath.

I remember this one time when I was feeling homesick, my mum and dad came and sat down next to me to comfort me they told me that we were going to visit Australia in June/July this year. This is a memory that I will cherish forever.

When I was in second grade, they saved me from being attacked by a monkey! In South Africa, this monkey ran at me I screamed so loudly and my parents got the people who worked there to get brooms

M a d e l i n e Writer of Bravery

and shoes to scare the monkey away! My dad tried to scare it away as well. It was scary and funny at the same time. My sister who was five at the time screamed as well. She was terrified! In third grade, I was sick at school and my dad was out of town and my mum was at work. She was about to go into a meeting. My school called my mum, and she postponed her meeting to the next day. Then she came to get me and took that whole day off.

I could also never forget when they made the brave and bold decision for us to move from Australia all the way over here to the USA! The reason for this is my mum became CEO of MGI golf. So, she decided instead of traveling over here every month, she took the one in a lifetime opportunity to move over here to the US for a year or two. I am very grateful for this decision because it has changed my life for ever and opened up a

whole new world of opportunities for me.

In conclusion, my parents are supportive, always there for me, and stop me from getting hurt. They also sacrifice so many things for me and my siblings, they also decided to take the one in a life time opportunity for us to move here to the United States. They also make sacrifices for my siblings and I. Their actions have taught me to take any opportunity that comes up. This is why my parents are my heroes.

Heroes Among Us: SpiderMan

From comic books to movies to video games, Spider-Man has been recognized everywhere, swinging down from above for more than 60 years. And for more than 60 years the character has not only other superheroes in the fictional world but real people like me in the nonfictional world.

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Since his comic book debut on August 10,1962 in ‘Amazing Fantasy’ #15, SpiderMan has been swinging on the scene for more than 60. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spider-Man was put in a comic series slated for cancellation, after many talks publisher Martin Goodman reluctantly agreed to allow Lee and Ditko to introduce Spider-Man, and to a surprise became an instant sensation with readers. Ever since then we have had numerous comic runs, iterations, and adaptations of the famous wall crawler, there are now currently over 500 comics, 10 movies, 60 plus games, and more than 100 different variations. Spider-Man’s enduring popularity has been fueled by the universal themes of courage, selflessness, and the belief that even the most ordinary people can be heroes in their own right. Spider-Man has transcended the pages of

comic books to become a symbol of inspiration for people around the world. Peter Parker’s relatable struggles and ordinary life infused with extraordinary responsibilities resonate with fans on a deeply personal level. Spider-Man embodies the idea that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can rise above challenges and make a positive impact. His moral compass, unwavering dedication, and ability to find humor in adversity make Spider-Man a symbol of hope and courage, influencing generations of kids, adults, and superheroes who strive to emulate his blend of humanity and heroism. The character’s diverse representation, Tobey Maguire to Shameik Moore, have resonated with audiences globally weaving itself into the fabric of our collective consciousness, reminding us that anyone can wear the

mask, anyone can make a difference and rise to the challenge, that anyone can be Spider-Man.

Why is Spider-Man an inspiration to me? There’s the cool costume, amazing web shooters, and spectacular powers, but I know that he isn’t just all that, instead he is much more. “With great power, comes great responsibility” is a timeless iconic saying that means that with our own abilities, super or not, it is our responsibility to do the greater good, even when times get tough and we are faced with personal hardships, as well as consider the impact of our own choices on the world around us. Throughout my life Spider-Man has taught me to be selfless towards others, to face challenges head on and to overcome and go through any personal hardships. Although I don’t have any cool superpowers like super strength or flight, I have realized that I don’t need them to make a difference in this world, to help those in need, and to make everyone around me feel happy.

In conclusion, Spider-Man’s journey from the pages of comic books to a global symbol of inspiration is a testament to the character’s enduring qualities. Through relatability, a commitment to responsibility, adaptability, and resilience, Spider-Man has captured the hearts and minds of fans worldwide.

His story is a timeless reminder that even the most ordinary among us can rise to extraordinary heights, making Spider-Man a true inspiration, not only to me but to all true believers.

The option of choosing a fictional character or someone from a game differs person to person. People have different tastes, dislikes, and likes. However, for me, I have a true hero. She is the one person I look up to the most, the one person who I go to when I need help with certain problems, and the one person who I trust with my whole heart. This is why my mom is my hero.

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My mom always strives to do her best for her three kids, her father, and her husband of 25 years. She never wants to disappoint and desires nothing more than for everyone to do great things in life. Her teaching skills have all come from being self-taught by watching videos and reading books about homeschooling. If it weren’t for her putting in the time and dedication into learning how to homeschool, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that she’s the teacher I strive to be for my kids.

She is such a hard worker, as she is the main component for running our family. If it weren’t for her, our family would’ve fallen apart at the seams, and we wouldn’t be the true family that we are today. She will never give up, whether it’s super hard, or really easy, yet confusing, she’ll always

follow all the way through. That spirit is the kind I want to bring with me into my future and carry over to my kids.

It never fails to amaze me on how caring she is for others. She consistently puts others first, she’s really giving to those around her, and is willing to listen and give advice. She may not admit it, but she always thinks of others first before herself. Even if it hasn’t been someone ’ s birthday, or it’s far after Christmas, she will always find a way to squeeze in a gift whenever she finds the opportunity. She’s a good listener and offers helpful advice over most topics. Caring about others as high as she does is something I will convey in the future for both myself and my family.

High quality restaurants are for others, but my mom ’ s home cooking is the only cooking I need. She always makes such appetizing

dinners, and on occasion, she makes the best breakfast at dinnertime as well. Not only is she an amazing cook, but she also has to cook for five people, including herself. And to elaborate even further on her positive impact on my family, she even made my dad love Brussel sprouts, which he despised as a kid. I’ve made a promise to myself to learn how to make all of my favorite dishes from her, and carry on the recipes to the future generations.

She really is my everything. She’s my shoulder to cry on, she’s the person I trust the most, and above all else: my very best friend. She’s the mom I want to be for my kids, and the confidant I wish to be to them. As soon as you meet her, you feel this warm glow about her, a glow that never fails to make you feel welcomed, loved, and cared for. She truly is all I want to be, for now and all the days to come after.

My Heroes Are My Parents they love me a lot they support my dreams and goals they make me work hard they comfort me when i'm sad my heroes are my parents

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A Hero Tanka

always supportive enrolls me in the top school the best in the world he has the funniest jokes he is the best dad ever!

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My Hero

I admire my uncle Jerad. I have 5 reasons. He Is very kind and supportive to me, he is very helpful when it comes to technology, he is fun to play with, he has many cool RC cars that he lets me play with, and he knows a lot about the things I like.

First of all, he is very kind and supportive. Once, we were doing work on one of his RC cars. We got it working and I crashed it into

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the curb. Luckily, the part that broke only costed $5 but when I offered to pay for it, my uncle refused to let me pay. I thought this was really nice of him. Another time, I wanted to start a website and he helped me by showing me how to go about this.

Second, he is very helpful when it comes to technology. He knows a lot about electronics so when I need help, I go to him. He was also very helpful when I decided to get an rc car of my own, he helped me pick which one I wanted and gave me a bunch of information about it He also explains how things work in great detail for me when I want to know how they work. He also doesn’t just know about electronics. He also knows about how gas engines work. This is nice, because I have someone to talk to about not only electronics, but also about engines and mechanisms.

Third, he is fun to play with. My uncle Jerad is very fun to play with. He chases me around, plays tag with me, and when I sleep over, he makes forts with me. He also plays with my nephews Nate and Kieren, and my niece Scarlet when they come down

from Fallon. In my Aunt and Uncle’s kitchen, there is a door that goes from the kitchen to the living room. When we play tag, it is fun to run through that door. They also have a fitness ball. I love to roll around on it and try to balance on it. My uncle Jerad also plays with me on that.

Fourth, he lets me drive his RC cars. He is really nice about this and he always lets me drive them Even after that time I crashed one, he still lets me drive them. He also lets me work on them. As of right now, only one

of them actually works. The one is powered by electricity. I want to help him fix some of the other gas-powered ones. He is always excited when I offer to help and it is very fun for me. I think that if I want to make RC cars one of my hobbies, which I do, then he is the perfect person to help guide me through it.

Fifth, he knows a lot about the things that I like. These include things like car engines, robotics, technology, and as previously stated, RC cars. Once, when I first told him about how I liked and new about car engines, he understood every word I said! This is nice for two reasons. First, if I have any questions about car engines, he can answer them for me. Second, it is nice to have someone to talk to who understands your hobbies that you can talk to.

It is for those five reasons that my uncle Jared is my personal hero. He is very kind and supportive to me, he is very helpful when it comes to technology, he is fun to play with, he lets me play with his rc cars, and he knows a lot about the things I like. Who’s you ’ re personal hero?

M

My Hero, Coach Shawna

My hero is my pitching coach Shawna. Coach Shawna is my hero for a few reasons; she is aways smiling, she is very humble, she has the ability to learn from others, and she is a great coach. Those are my four reasons for why my pitching coach, Shawna is my hero.

First, she is always smiling. When she smiles I always smile back. When I see her

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smiling, it makes me very happy. My coach is always in a great mood when I see her and she cheers me up if I had a bad day.

Secondly, she is humble. Coach Shawna is always thinking about others. She does this by always checking on me to see if I am okay. At the beginning of practice, she greets my dad and I with her warm smile and asks us how we have been lately. She is a great listener, I know this because when I tell her things I can feel that she is listening. Another reason that I know she is listening is because she stops what she’s doing to hear what I have to say. Her focus is always on others.

Thirdly, my coach has the ability to learn from others. Even though she is the teacher, she always tends to learn something new from me at practices.

When she learns something, she tells me and we discuss it a little bit. But I learn tons of new things from her. Always about pitching though.

Lastly, she is a great coach. I think that she is a great coach because of how humble and caring she is. Also I think that she is a great coach because whenever she sees something from me that she has not seen before from her other students, she tells me and we laugh about it. Another reason that I think that she is a great coach is because, she has a great way of explaining things. If I do not understand something, she will explain it a different way and somehow it always works for me. Coach Shawna, also does not just sit around and tell me what to do. She does the drill first, and then has me try it. She then will correct me if I do something wrong.

In conclusion, my hero is my pitching coach

Raquel Cont.

Shawna. Coach Shawna is my hero because she is always smiling, humble, has the ability to learn from others, and in my opinion is a great coach. She has great pitching techniques for people. And really does try to get to know others an example of this is she asked for my star sign, I told her and she new right away what my personality is and new how to talk to me for me to understand. In my opinion, she is a great person. She also has many connections. I have talked to my friend on my team, she is a pitcher and she takes lessons with coach Shawna and really likes her. Also, I think that many people think that same thing about her as I do. Who is your hero?

Maya Angelou: An American Hero

It is safe to assume that every single individual has gone through hardships and adversities. Maya Angelou is no exception to this harsh reality of life. Despite this, she overcame her trials and became a world-renowned poet, memoirist, dancer, singer, activist, scholar, and author. Because of this, Angelou has become widely established as a true

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inspiration. Her courageous way of navigating life makes her a hero for many to view as a role model.

Suffice it to say, Maya Angelou had a rough start to life. She was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. As a result of her parents’ strained relationship and inevitable divorce, Angelou was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. At the age of seven, Angelou would be sent back to her mother’s care. Woefully, this is where she would be sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend. He would soon be arrested and imprisoned. Shortly after being released, Angelou’s rapist would be murdered. Thinking his death was her fault, Angelou would decide to go mute in guilt. Being a vulnerable young girl, Angelou struggled with navigating her feelings after this traumatic event. Many sexual abuse

victims feel unsafe or uncomfortable with allowing their voices to be heard, making her story especially raw and disheartening. As a young woman, I feel deeply for those victimized by sexual abuse. Because of this, I am so grateful Angelou’s novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings simultaneously spreads awareness and helps victims cope with their trauma. Maya Angelou shows immense courage in sharing her story with the world, and that is what makes her such a heroic and iconic figure in history.

It is crucial to note that Maya Angelou bravely stood up against racism. Angelou writes in her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, that Stamps, Arkansas was an extremely segregated town to grow up in as a young African-American girl. As Maya continued to grow, she was confronted with

Riley Cont.

more personal accounts of racism. In the eighth grade, a white speaker made condescending remarks targeted toward Maya at her graduation. In another instance, Angelou’s white boss insisted on calling her “Mary” despite Angelou’s corrections. A white dentist also refused service to Maya because she was black. Angelou would go on to learn about the impact of racism in the United States, thus, igniting a passion for the civil rights movement. In 1960, she became a coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, utilizing it to raise funds for the civil rights movement. Angelou also joined the Harlem Writers Guild and organized protests with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Her powerful and touching pieces quickly caught the attention of the general public, spreading the word about racism in the United States rapidly. Maya Angelou has become a civil rights icon throughout the nation, making her a legendary individual and awe-inspiring hero.

There are many figures in history for the newer generations to look up to. However, few are as impactful, real, and moving as Maya Angelou. The way she courageously pushed through every hardship in her life rightfully establishes her as a true American hero.

Sara

Someone I Look Up To

Felícitas Mendez was an inspiration to many people across the world, including myself. In her lifetime she was able to inspire people through the tough battles she accomplished and for the person she was.

Felícitas was born in the small town of Juncos, Puerto Rico and later moved to Southern California when she was 12 years old. Growing

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up, Felícitas and her siblings were tormented by many in the states for being Puerto Rican and were racialized as black. In 1936, Felícitas married the love of her life Gonzalo Mendez, an immigrant from México. They had six beautiful children together, raising them in Westminster, California where they leased a 40-acre farm. Together, FelÃcitas and Gonzalo were able to support their family through the agricultural operations of the farm. Unfortunately during this time period, racial discrimination towards Hispanics was rampant. The thought of activism was not ever a pondering thought in her mind due to her taking care of her land.

Felícitas spent most of her life as a civil rights activist inspiring an innumerable number of people. Her reason to pursue that specific career came to light after an incident in 1944, where Felícitas was told

her children could not join a school because they had darker skin and Hispanic surnames. Not taking no for an answer, she and her husband found many others who fell victim to this discrimination and sued against school segregation in California. Felícitas fought and won the first largest court case Mendez v. Westminster in 1946, concluding to the desegregation of all schools in the state of California. This case led to an astonishing legacy that led to the end of school segregation across the U.S. in the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. The Board of Education. She also organized an abundance of committees in her lifetime, such as the Asociación de Padres de Niños MéxicoAmericanos. The Mendez family proved the saying “Extraordinary people can do extraordinary things.”

Sara Cont.

Knowing the incredible mark Felícitas Mendez made in history inspired me growing up as well as a numerous amount of people. Being the loving, caring mother she was, her children were the biggest reason she fought the lawsuit, viewing it as an accomplishment for mothers all around. I view Felícitas as one of my role models because of the many ways she has shown me it doesn’t matter who or what you are, you are important and deserve rights. She has also helped me feel comfortable and confident being a Hispanic, attending public school. Her story helped me find a passion to pursue the study of law in the future, hoping to also be able to contribute and make right in society. I especially admire her because during the mid 1900s women were still viewed as housewives but Felícitas displayed perseverance until her voice was heard.

Felícitas Mendez overcame many obstacles throughout the course of her life and achieved justice for herself and many others. I felt inspired by her story, the impact she had on the world, and who she was as a person. Growing up, she unequivocally became my role model.

My Hero is Thea Stilton

Thea has a taste of adventure and a love for writing since she's also an author. Thea Stilton had many great adventures with her brother, Geronimo Stilton, in order to help her city. I love to read and explore just like Thea, that's why she is my hero. Thea Stilton travels all over the world to meet and help new friends all over the world. Thea was also a teacher at Mouseford Academy and some students had adventures just like her. My favorite adventure was when Thea went to the Kingdom of Fairies and rescued her friends from an evil trap. In conclusion, Thea Stilton inspires me to explore, read, and create stories.

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My Mom Is My Hero

Dark brown hair

Intelligent dark brown eyes

The one who taught me everything has the hardworking mindset always be there for me mom is my hero

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a y Best Young Dreamer

My Hero Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda is an inspirational to me hero for many reasons. First and foremost, he teaches to anyone, regardless of their size, shape, or background they can achieve greatness with determination, perseverance, and the right mindset.

One of the key lessons we learned from Kung Fu Panda is the importance of

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believing in oneself. Despite being an overweight panda named Po, who initially works in a noodle shop, he dreams of becoming a kung fu master. Po faces doubt and ridicule from others, but he never gives up on his dream. This teaches us that it’s essential to have confidence in our abilities, even when others doubt us.

Another inspiring aspect of Kung Fu Panda, is his willingness to learn and grow. When Po is chosen as the Dragon Warrior, he embarks on a journey of selfdiscovery and training. Despite the challenges he faces, including his lack of experience and physical limitations, Po remains dedicated to his goal of becoming a skilled martial artist. This teaches us the importance of hard work, dedication and continuous self improvement.

Moreover, Kung Fu Panda demonstrates

the value of friendship, teamwork, and mentorship. Throughout his journey, Po receives support and guidance from his friends and mentors, including Master Shifu and the Furious Five. They help him overcome obstacles, learn new skills and ultimately fulfill his destiny as the Dragon Warrior. This highlights, the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive influences and working together to achieve common goals.

Additionally, Kung Fu Panda teaches us about the power of resilience and overcoming adversity. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, including formidable enemies and self doubt, Po never loses sight of his goal. He learns from his failures, adapts to new situations, and ultimately emerges, stronger and wiser. This inspires us to persevere in the face of adversity, and never give up on our dreams, no matter how

the journey may be.

Sophie Cont.

Furthermore, Kung Fu Panda, promotes important values such as courage, honor, integrity and demonstrates bravery in the face of danger (standing up to powerful adversaries to protect the ones he loves). He also upholds his principles and values, even when faced with temptation or adversity. This teaches us the importance of staying true to ourselves, and doing what is right, even when it is not easy.

Kung Fu Panda had been my hero since I was three years old. My favorite quote from Kung Fu Panda is “You got to let go of that stuff from the past, because it just doesn’t matter! The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now. ”

Kung Fu Panda 2

In conclusion, Kung Fu Panda is about believing in ourselves, working hard to achieve our goals, and overcoming adversity. Through his journey of self discovery and growth, Po demonstrates the power of resilience, friendship, and courage. His story resonates with audiences of all ages, inspiring us to embrace our strength and pursue our dreams with passion and determination.

Suzie

My Hero

Some heroes of mine are my parents. My parents are very hardworking and are passionate about their jobs. They never give up even through hard times. They have become successful from their hard work and perseverance that gives our family wonderful opportunities. Also if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t go to the amazing school I go to now. My parents gave me

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this amazing opportunity to go to this school because they want me to succeed when I go into the real world. My parents think that getting an early start on education will help me out in the long run. They have helped me learn from mistakes and always care if i’m upset. They always want the best for me and my sister and for us to be a happy family. They are also very funny and make me laugh, even when i’m feeling down. This always makes me question how they do it. They also care about me and my sister’s relationship with each other, and because we grew up close together, me and my sister barely ever argue. They always support what I love and always tell me to never let people bring me down.

My dad is a bit more strict than my mom. He was the one that taught me and my sister manners and life lessons. However,

my mom also taught me a great amount of safety lessons. One time when I was four or five, I was holding a pair of scissors in my hand with the sharp end pointing up. I wanted to show my mom the pair of scissors, so I showed her but I pointed the sharp end of the scissors to her face. That night, we took thirty minutes talking about how to hold scissors right, and why I need to know how to hold scissors correctly. Another time, I had just gotten a puppy and was super excited. We let her outside to run around and get her energy out. I was annoyed that she was not listening to me, so I pulled the puppy ’ s tail and it let out a yip. My dad told me that pulling the puppy ’ s tail would hurt it, and also taught me how to hold the puppy properly. Now my dog is too big to be carried!

Suzie Cont.

These are just two things that I remember about my parents teaching me. There are many more things that they have taught me. I am thankful for them all year round and am also thankful for their hard work to help me grow as a person. Not only that, they always will take time to talk to us if we ever feel sad, mad, or any kind of bad emotion; even when they’re super busy with work or any other thing. They are still teaching me life skills. For example, how to speak up for myself and important social skills. I just feel very glad to be able to have parents that care, take time to listen to me, and teach me about safety. They are just the best parents to me, and I never would want anybody else taking care of me. This is why my parents are my heroes.

Victor

My Hero

My heroes are my parents. They are my hero because they always help me and they are the biggest inspiration to me. They keep me going when I’m down or when I’m mad. They have been with me sense day 1. If anyone in my life I were to choose it would be my parents. My parents always tell me how much they love me and that shows that they are very caring and loving that’s why they are my

heroes.

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WRITING CONTEST

Thiscertificateispresentedinrecognitionofthe effortsandparticipationof

inthe“HeroesAmongUs”writingcontestheld onApril6,2024

signedby

“The Giver” of Essays

KimberleyMcGee CEO/FounderVegasKidsZone

My parents are always helping me with sports and pointing out my mistakes to try to get me better. They are very thoughtful and caring my dad will take me to the batting cages to get my batting form good for my game and help my pitching form.

They will help me on everything even if it is something dumb like trying to fall without it hurting. When I play my basketball games, they are always cheering and telling me what to do when I don’t.

They take me and my brother on vacation to see my family in Ohio. They sometimes even come to Florida with us. In Florida my dad and mom both take me to the beach in the golf cart.

My parents are very supportive to my dreams like being a professional basketball player or baseball player. They always know what I am going through and try to help in my hardest times. My dad is going through hard times because his mom is in the hospital because of a heart attack and even he still listens to me even though he is sad. I always try to help him when he needs it.

I have one more hero my brother. My brother is my hero because he is a very good basketball player and I want to be like him. He also gets good grades and is liked by teachers. He goes to Faith Lutheran and I will be going there next year and I will probably have benefit of the doubt with the teachers because of my brother. I want to be on the basketball A team just like him.

Victor Cont.

He has a game tonight. I will be cheering for him to win. His team is the only undefeated team in the city. He is in playoffs right now play for the state championship. That will be his first school basketball trophy. He would be so excited if they won.

I know how much basketball means to him and I wish the best for his season. I hope he wins the championship and gets to put the trophy in the school trophy case. That would be so cool to walk by when I go there and see the trophy and be like, “My brother played in that game!”

My heroes are my parents and my brother. They are a very big part of my life and I hope the best for them. I love seeing my parents at my games and I love watching my brother play basketball. I hope I could always have that experience.