Know your heroes by Rachel

Know your heroes by Rachel - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

Scout was a hot-tempered, sassy, rambunctious, curious girl and who was often headstrong to a fault. But what this lead character in the famous novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" never needed, was a lecture on who her heroes in life should be. Scout knew intrinsically that her humanitarian of a Lawyer/father; Atticus and her brave brother Jem were men of character, men who told the truth and men who's actions reflected their character.

So often in life we become swayed by the glamorous nature of a person because of the job they hold, the money they make or the company they keep. These are powerful aphrodisiacs and can often cloud our judgement when it comes to knowing who we should follow and trust in this world. Scout had a strong will and because of that her judgment was never clouded by the pretense of others. She saw through artifice and stayed true to the kind of person her daddy had raised her to be.

Scout teaches us so much about life and about ourselves. In this world of ours where social media can create instant fame, it's easy to become charmed by the illusion of success that we see in others. But fame is fleeting. It's the loyalty of friends, the consistent support they provide, and the truth seekers in this world who provide our lives with the kind of substance that really matters.

Scout taught me to believe in myself and to look for the silver lining that is often hidden by the outward plainness of a person's appearance. For as they say, all the glitters isn't gold. If you stay true to your own values in this world and you will always be surrounded by people that you trust to support you and care for you through thick and thin. Your heroes will surround you if you follow the Scout code of honor and choose your heroes by their actions and loyalty and not by their fame or fortune.