|
[Photos: AP]
|
By AUTUMN N. SIEGEL
© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 8, 2001
Our heroes, one kid says, "don't have to be famous anymore, but they have to react well under pressure and do a lot for our country.''
|
 |
Since the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, we have been hearing the word "hero" a lot. What does hero really mean to young people, and has that meaning changed recently? Is a hero a rock star, an NBA player, a cartoon character? Is a hero a big name celebrity like Britney Spears, or is it someone who is closer to home, like an uncle or other relative? I asked some kids in Citrus and Hernando counties what qualities they look for in a role model and how their perspectives might have changed after the tragedies.
"When I was younger, I only thought about if people seemed cool, but now I think more about their virtues and qualities. Being honest, charitable and always trying your best, that's what really counts," says Leah White, 13, an eighth-grader at Citrus Springs Middle School.
"(Before), I respected Aaliyah, Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm. Aaliyah wrote songs about things that are real, stuff that really happens, stuff that means something," Leah says. As for new heroes, she says, she admires a teacher and a student at her school because of a letter service the two of them started.
"Everyone at school writes a letter to the people in New York saying how sorry that we are and that we are praying for them," says Leah. "Man, I pray for those people every night."
Amy Rundio, who is 14 and in the ninth grade at Lecanto High School, also says her idea of a hero is different now. "My expectations for a role model have really changed. They (role models) don't have to be famous anymore, but they have to react well under pressure and do a lot for our country. That's what a role model really is -- someone who supports the country and helps other people."
Joshua Gregg, 16, and in the 11th grade at Lecanto High, says the recent events have caused him to reconsider how he chooses role models. "As a kid, I chose famous people as role models. Now I look to the many firefighters, EMS workers and police officers who have given their time, effort, and even their lives to help those in trouble," Joshua says.
"I hope that society's view also changes. I find it interesting that athletes are paid millions of dollars to play a game that the average person plays for fun; meanwhile, firefighters are paid so little to save lives," he says. "I don't mean to talk badly about sports stars; many of them are good role models and are helping during this tragedy. I can only imagine the mind set of those who entered the Pentagon and especially the World Trade Center, knowing the danger. . . . They are the real heroes of this incident."
A renewed sense of patriotism is showing up in some kids, exemplified in praise for President Bush. "I have a huge amount of respect for him," says Adrienne Holland, 16, an 11th-grader at Lecanto. "A lot of people underestimated his ability to handle the situation. He doesn't have a cocky attitude. He's very human. He's true to himself."
Austin Porambo agrees. Even though Austin is a third-grader, he says he has given a lot of thought to the subject. "The president protects the country and tells the truth. He is trying to keep the nation calm while he looks for the people that destroyed the towers," says Austin, 8, who attends Pope John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto. "I especially like the way that he is comforting his family."
Heroes don't have to wear flashy costumes, like they do in cartoons. "A hero is generally someone who uses unique abilities to benefit the world," says Josh Rigdon, 16, a Lecanto 11th-grader. "That would usually apply to your comics super heroes, but if you really think about it, that's not the case. Before Sept. 11, who would have thought of the citizens of New York as heroes? The NYPD and FDNY hardly seem like Spiderman. Still, they have gone above and beyond their call of duty. Heroes don't have to wear masks."
Kids respect heroes with big hearts who are closer to home, as well. "My grandfather is a big one," says Lecanto 11th-grader Lauren Whitty, 16. "He died in 1998. He fought in World War II. That means a lot to me because he risked his life so that his family could be free.
"I like the real people," Lauren says. "I don't necessarily look up to the celebrities, but I respect the EMS, firefighters, police officers, anybody like that. I still remember the workers who helped with the rescue effort for the Oklahoma City bombing. I am so grateful to the people on that Pennsylvania plane. They knew that they were going to die, so they went down fighting to save others from injury and death."
Maggie Sharar, Cynthia Malm and Katie Curham, all 15, 10th-graders and best friends at Lecanto, expanded on each other's ideas. "To me a role model must be funny, trustworthy, and they have to really put their all into a cause. Like Julia Roberts," says Katie. "She donated all that money. She even helped to clean up the rubble."
Maggie adds, "Yeah, but they must also be strong, caring and independent." Cynthia emphasizes a key to good role models: "I think that all a person needs is inspiration. My mom is my role model," Cynthia says. "She always tries to accomplish what she wants."
Some students, such as Lukas Cyr, 14, a ninth-grader at Crystal River High School, say their personal role models have stayed the same. "My parents are my role models," says Lukas. "They are my friends, and I really take after them. The terrorists haven't changed that."
Jacquelyn Mohr, 7, of Brooksville, agrees that family is a great source of heroes. The second-grader at Pine Grove Elementary School says she tries to be like her 12-year-old sister, Megan, who is in the seventh grade at West Hernando Middle School. "Megan is five years older than me, but she is one of my best friends. I tell her secrets and she keeps them. She makes me smile, and she always sticks up for me."
- Autumn N. Siegel, 13, is in the ninth grade in home school in Beverly Hills.
Here's the rest of today's Xpress
|
