Chad Rooney

What are the things that make up a hero? Strength, courage, maybe to some a cape and super powers. But as for me, none of these apply to my hero, Chad. He can't leap tall buildings and he's not faster than a speeding bullet even though he thinks he is. He is my mentor, my agent, my uncle, and my best friend.

I was headed down the wrong path. I wasn't doing homework, I was out late, I was always late to school, and I wasn't lifting. I didn't care. But Chad had other plans than to watch me fail. He took me into his home, gave me a place to stay, food to eat, and a roof over my head. Slowly but surely, he steered me in the right direction. I went to a bad school; he made sure that my grades came up and, once I had the chance, I transferred to a school with a structured environment. He is my mentor.

Chad urged me to lift. I had been playing football for six years and this was my senior year. The team was good, but I wasn't up to par. Everyday he made sure I was in the weight room, pushing me to do better and do more. I did just that. When it was all said and done, I was one of the best. My team went eight and zero in the regular season and had a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the play-offs. During that time, Chad also volunteered his time to help coach not just for the seventh and eighth grade team, but also the varsity team. I am now getting scholarships and coaches calling me from colleges because of my determination and his help. He is my agent.

I have had a hard time dealing with the divorce of my parents. Sometimes my parents make each other look bad by telling me things about each other. Sometimes I feel like it's my fault for the whole thing. Chad helps me understand why these things are wrong and what I can do about it. He takes me to college visits and helps me decide which offers are best. He is my uncle.

Whenever I go outside and kick the soccer ball around, Chad is out there. Whenever I want to go throw the football around, he is out there. Whenever I am playing Madden and he has nothing to do, he grabs a controller. When I want to watch a UFC pay-per-view fight, we throw a party with food and friends. He is always there when I need him. I can talk to him about anything and he can keep it secret. I can ask him any question and he will answer. I know he will do anything for me. He is my best friend.