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Aaliyah Dana Haughton

by Shantay from Washington


To me a hero is someone who has strength to accomplish things. Someone who is brave so they can do what they need to do without being scared. Someone who is willing to help the community. A hero is also someone who is warm-hearted.

To me, Aaliyah Dana Haughton is a hero. Aaliyah was born in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York on January 16, 1979 to Michael and Diane Haughton. She was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Her name means "Highest, Most Exalted, The Best" in Arabic. Aaliyah was brought up as a Christian with her older brother, Rashad Haughton. Aaliyah became famous during the mid-1990s with several hit records from the songwriting/production team of Missy Elliott and Timbarland, and their associate Steve "Static" Garrett. In 1994 at age 14, Aaliyah released her first album called, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number.” At the MTV Awards, Aaliyah won for best female R&B artist. Aaliyah loved to act she has starred in the movie; Romeo Must Die and also Queen of the Damned. Aaliyah’s performance earned her nominations for MTV’s 2001 movie awards for best female performance and breakthrough performance female.

Aaliyah saved her Aunt from dying; she had a heart attack, and Aaliyah took her to the hospital because she didn’t want her aunt to die. She saved her, but the next day her aunt had passed away, and she did not have a chance to say her goodbye to her. Aaliyah was committed to helping many charities; one in particular was breast cancer prevention. Aaliyah valued love, peace, and most of all unity because she thought that no family or relationship could be without the spirit of unity flowing through them. As Aaliyah says "Keep working hard and you can get anything that you want.” She always believed in herself and she never gave up on anything. She did what she had to do to be a success.

A hero can stand up for what they believe in regardless of the consequences. Aaliyah was committed to make a difference in the world and try to help out those people in need of help. Aaliyah's family will commit to what they know Aaliyah always wanted to do: make a difference in someone’s life. She definitely defined how a hero should act and live, by showing us that we should be courageous and never give up, no matter the situation.

Now you know what I think a hero is and why Aaliyah is my hero. What I think a hero is, is what I found in Aaliyah. I’ve looked up to Aaliyah since I was 8 years old. Aaliyah inspires a lot of young girls today; she has stopped young children from going down the wrong road and put them back on the right track.

Page created on 5/1/2007 11:57:35 AM

Last edited 5/1/2007 11:57:35 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.