Separate Sheet of Paper

SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER

Directions: Below you will read three different argumentative essays by high school juniors on the topic of heroes in our current society.

As you read:

SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER

1. SOAPSTone the article. Create a chart that identifies the details of the article using the SOAPSTone framework.
2. Next, answer the following question:
3. Form a claim statement:
4. Do you believe that heroes exist today? Explain in one-2 sentences.
5. Create a chart like the one below to support your claim and make sure to include exact quotes. Your reasoning should explain how the quote strengthens your claim. You need at least 3 different pieces of evidence and explanations.
6. In a 6-8 sentence response, you must use at least two quotes from the article to support your claim.

Our Turn: Are there still wholesome and legitimate heroes today?

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Tom Stankewicz is a senior at Loy Norrix High School.

Increased publicity of immoral acts by sports and celebrity “heroes” can be attributed to the prying media and not a change in society. This negative publicity leads some to question whether wholesome and legitimate heroes still exist.

However, heroes today are no different than heroes of past generations. Wholesome and legitimate are characteristics of role models, but many heroes are not role models in every aspect of their lives.

Heroes have always had their flaws. Society tends to enshrine sports stars as heroes, but they are not always role models off the field. Mickey Mantle was just as flawed off the field as Alex Rodriguez, but they are still both considered baseball heroes. The difference between these two athletes and others is that today the media expose their flaws.

Perhaps Charles Barkley, former NBA star, said it best in his Nike commercial: “I am not a role model.” Barkley suggested that all the children who hero-worship him should instead look to their parents, who should be real role models. The same commercial could have been made by many sports stars and celebrities past and present.

However, some heroes do still serve as role models. Self-sacrificing and courageous heroes today are just as wholesome and legitimate as the heroes of past generations. For example, American soldiers have always been heroes and that is no different now.

In November, Army Sgt. Salvatore Giunta became the first living Medal of Honor recipient since Vietnam. Under heavy fire in Afghanistan, Sgt. Giunta rescued an injured soldier. His humble selflessness and courage make Sgt. Giunta a hero and a role model.

Another recent legitimate hero is Capt. Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, a pilot who landed his plane safely on the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers. Acting with poise, courage and leadership, Sullenberger became a hero and a role model.

True heroes like Sgt. Giunta and Capt. Sullenberger prove we still have heroes who are exceptional role models.

Jennifer Reiter is a senior at Mattawan High School.

Why do we doubt the existence of heroes in America today? Was the past so much better, stronger and more courageous that it had access to “wholesome and legitimate heroes” that our modern society lacks?

Of course, the definition of a hero has changed over the years. However, even the evolution of language isn’t enough to strip our country of heroism entirely.

The criteria used to define a hero has become broader by interpretation, meaning there should be more heroes today, not fewer.

America still has war heroes, brave soldiers who fight for our country. The men and women in the armed forces, as well as police officers and firefighters, put themselves in danger every day to protect people. They are true American heroes, and always will be.

Scientists develop medicines to cure diseases. Doctors and nurses perform procedures to help people when they’re injured or ill. An organ donor may give a child many more years to live. Miracles happen around the clock in hospitals and heroes make them happen.

A good parent is always a hero. A young boy looks up to his father and believes him to be the strongest man in the world, a superhero. He wants to be just like him. Good parents love and care for their children, protecting them from the world until they’re old enough to protect themselves.

Kids usually consider pop stars and professional athletes to be heroes. Though not all of them are the best role models, it’s normal for kids to look up to celebrities.

Every generation has had its celebrities that were popular “heroes” to children. They were idolized for their talents and abilities that inspired young minds.

Heroism isn’t defined by lives saved, danger encountered, or courage shown. Those are just a few obvious displays of it. People will always define what a hero is in different ways, but regardless of the interpretation or the generation, heroes will always be present in America.

John Henby is a senior at Galesburg-Augusta High School.

Throughout the ages, heroes have defined each era. They are timeless figures who represent the ideals of humanity and embody different perspectives of human existence. However, in our fast-paced culture, the idea of a wholesome and legitimate hero has become questionable.

The hero used to be someone who would take center stage on not just national issues but world issues. Now, this role has been changed because of the perception that everyday people, who are willing to make sacrifices within their community, are heroes.

For example, CNN hosts the CNN Heroes awards show every year, highlighting the efforts of everyday people making a difference. These people have devoted their lives to solving widespread community problems.

Pop-culture used to be filled with heroes, but today it has become quite the opposite. With the rise of Internet superstars, steroids in athletics, reality television, and political unrest, pop culture heroes have lost the virtuous qualities heroes should exemplify. Movie stars, musicians and athletes seem to have very superficial qualities about them, their renown diminished to gossip in magazines.

Rather than hiding from the issues facing society, the real heroes face them head on. They sacrifice themselves to stop an injustice that plagues the well-being of humanity, standing up when no one else dares to.

Becoming a hero does not happen instantaneously. It is a lifelong struggle that takes perseverance and inner-strength. Everyone can make a difference, but it all comes down to people being willing to sacrifice to help the greater good of humanity.

We become heroes not only by performing acts of kindness, but by honestly and devoutly representing positive values. Heroes are born when they take courageous action toward injustice, which takes devotion and discipline.

Today, it is only to be expected that the hero is questioned. We don’t have time to think about the quality of humanity because we are focused on surviving, especially in such harsh economic times.