We’re All Spider-Man by Melissa

We’re All Spider-Man by Melissa - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

Spider-Man was my favorite Marvel character growing up. It wasn’t solely based on his
powers/abilities, costume, or anything physical. It’s his motivation, symbolic nature, and motto. In the Marvel Universe Spider-Man, whose real name is Peter Parker, is a teenage superhero after being bitten by a radioactive spider on a school field trip he at first uses his new abilities for selfish reasons. Until a life-altering event for Peter; the death of his Uncle Ben shot by a robber.
After then Peter used his abilities for the sake of helping others and began to aline he
took up his late Uncle’s motto. “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Meaning, being a person of power/authority should exercise their position to inspire future generations and to be there for others in need. Leading to why Peter created the mantle of Spider-Man, a hero of sacrifice, one who anyone can aspire to be no matter their background.
Spider-Man symbolizes two key traits: sacrifice and the act of selflessness. Spider-Man
although a teenage hero has made decisions time and time again as if he were an adult. Thinking of not only his close friends and family but even his community, state, country, and universe. Placing himself in harm's way even if it means to endanger his own life just so others can be safe with no question is a remarkable trait of Spider-Man’s moral. Peter Parker’s Spider-Man isn’t the only Spider-Man variant there is. In each universe or alternate reality, there are different worlds where different Spider beings don’t all look or act like Peter Parker. Some are women such as Spiderr-Women, Madam Web, and Spider-Gwen/Ghost Spider. Or heroes who are of a different ethnicity example Miles Morales, Miguel Ohara, and Silk all of these alternate characters are still a part of the Spider-Man mantle, the creation of these characters gives a representation of multiple ordinary people who dawned on the mask that anyone can be Spider-Man. Even though none of these characters are the same they all share similar experiences involving being bitten by a spider and losing a loved one due to their selfishness. Teaching them a lesson or hearing the motto “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Spider-Man is more than just a comic character, Spider-Man is a representation of you and me of can be a hero that there is no limit anyone can be Spider-Man.
While I may not be able to web-sling across the city I can still help others by becoming
counselor. Helping others fight off their mental villians and guide them to become their own heros. I dawned on the mask when I became apart of the One Love Foundation, I began to advocate for their cause at my school working to create a more healthier atmosphere so nobody has to think that things can’t get better when they can there’s always someone who can be your Spider-Man and I plan to be one.