When teenagers hear the word ‘hero,’ their minds go in many different directions. The Eagle Eye recently took a survey of students to see what LHS considers a hero to be.  Surprisingly, throughout this survey, not one sarcastic teenager has said any Marvel or DC comic character. Instead, the answers have been family members, teachers, friends, military and God. This is because real heroes don’t wear capes and tights. They wear combat boots, slacks or sweatpants. They don’t fly or have laser vision. These heroes are just people.

“A hero is someone who is always there for you and someone who won’t give up on you at your hardest times,” senior Maria Hernandez said. “A hero is not someone perfect but someone imperfect who makes mistakes and learns from them. Someone who makes you smile and catches your tears, and someone who won’t let go even if times get hard. Anyone can be a hero.”

At the end of the day, people just want someone to be there to tell them that they are amazing, despite their failures. Someone to tell them that their flaws do not define them. One who says what is needed to be heard.

“My hero would have to be my best friend, Dylan Bacon,” freshman Ashlie Thompson said. “He always tries his best in everything he does. His hard work and dedication lets him succeed in most everything he does. He looks out for other people’s feelings and puts their needs before his own. He strives to keep everyone happy even if it is at the cost of his own happiness. I have known him for a long time, and even before I was his friend, he had the same traits which goes to show that he is true to his character. All of these things exhibit his outstanding leadership abilities which makes him, without a doubt, a hero.”

Most of the ‘heroes’ that people talked about in this survey are people who are seen on a day-to-day basis by those whose lives they touch. Most of them likely have no idea that they inspire anyone.

   “I feel like most people that others look up to have no idea that they are looked up to,” sophomore Kelsey Crews said. “Honestly, if we took a little time out of our day to be like ‘Hey, I look up to you,’ it would make them feel amazing. I mean, if someone told you that you influenced them, you’d feel great. That’s why we should let them know.”