Derek Jeter

Imagine being part of an organization that has given over $16 million back to the community. This is a foundation, called Turn 2, that Derek Jeter started to help kids stay away from drugs and alcohol and be successful. Derek stays selfless and humble throughout his career because of his humble beginnings. Derek Jeter was born on June 26, 1974, in Pequannock, New Jersey. The family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan when Derek was four. His parents are Dorothy and Charles Jeter. When he was young, Derek's parents were very supportive and helped him get on the right path to achieve his dreams. Derek has a sister named Sharlee. Jeter grew up in a sports-crazy family. Derek's favorite team was the Yankees, and his favorite player was Dave Winfield. He played baseball at Kalamazoo Central High School and later went on to become a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees. Jeter still plays for the Yankees today. Derek is known for using his money and fame to give back to children and the community. A hero must work hard to accomplish things, influence people, and be a role model to them; he must also put others before himself. Many people only know Derek Jeter as the fantastic baseball player, but there is an entire different side of him; he is hardworking, influential, and selfless off the field, and that's why he is a true American hero.

Derek Jeter is an extremely successful baseball player and person, but his continued success didn't come without hard work. This information from "JockBio: Derek Jeter Biography" shows that Derek Jeter worked extremely hard to achieve his dreams: "Derek's athletic prowess was clear by the time he started his Little League career. His parents encouraged him in sports and let him set his own goals. They provided the boundaries, reminding him that if his academics suffered, baseball was off the board"( JockBio: Derek Jeter Biography). Derek has worked hard ever since he was a young child to follow his dreams of playing baseball. He had to do well in school in order to play baseball, so he did. He would do his homework right when he got home from school, so he could go outside and play baseball. He was a great student in school, and a superb athlete on the baseball field. Hard work is also observed here: "Derek adored baseball. He dreamed of playing professionally, and even predicted in a school essay that he would one day suit up as the shortstop of the Yankees"(Jockbio: Derek Jeter Biography). Derek knew what he wanted to do, so he did everything he could to make his dream come true. He was always on the field working hard to improve every little part of his game. He worked tirelessly for incredible amounts of time to become one of the greatest the game has ever seen. Derek worked extremely hard while he was growing up, and in the end, his hard work paid off.

Derek Jeter's accomplishments have made him a role model and an influence in many children's lives across the country. An illustration of his influence is seen here: "The Jeter's Leaders Program recognizes students for academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community service. Leaders are responsible for delivering positive messages to their peers. The program emphasizes the Ten Pillars of Leadership Development: communication, responsibility, morality, taking initiative, lead by example, organized, positive attitude, respectful, trustworthy, and healthy"(Robinson). Derek created the Turn 2 Foundation in 1996 to help kids stay away from drugs and alcohol. He shows children how to set goals and strive to reach them. His program teaches children the same qualities and values his parents instilled in him when he was a little kid. Derek is an ideal role model and hero for kids. Another example of his influence is shown here: "All types of learning experiences go along with eventually becoming a professional baseball player. Once he arrived at that point, Jeter's newest experience became learning to deal with the increased amount of failure that would be mixed in with his many successes"(Robinson). Derek Jeter is a hero because he learned that failure comes on the road to success. He shows people that when you don't succeed, don't give up, keep trying, and you will be successful in the end. Derek Jeter is an extremely successful baseball player, so he uses his celebrity status to set good examples for children who look up to him. He is able to be a huge positive influence because he possesses the ideal traits of a hero, and people naturally admire heroes.

Many famous people get caught up in all the money and attention, but Derek has stayed humble and selfless his entire career. His selflessness is observed here: "The Turn 2 Foundation, which is a non-profit corporation, features an exhausting list of programs centered around the three areas Jeter considers home-the New York Metropolitan area, western Michigan, and the Tampa Bay area. It supports programs that promote healthy lifestyles, academic achievement, and leadership development among youth"(Robinson). If the children successfully stay away from drugs and alcohol, they are rewarded with money for college. Derek doesn't only help them succeed in high school, he helps them go to college and puts them on a path to be future leaders like him. Derek's selflessness is also seen here: "The impact Jeter set out to create on the lives of young people clearly has materialized. The dreams that were shared over pizza by father and son have become a reality"(Robinson). At the very beginning of his professional career, Derek sat down with his dad and told him that he wanted to start a foundation to help children. Throughout his professional career, Jeter has used his celebrity status and his prominent position as a sports star to help children. Many other players become self absorbed with all the money and fame, but Derek has stayed humble and selfless. Derek is a hero because he has invested his money and time into our nation's youth and helped them become successful.

Most people only know the athletic side of Derek Jeter, but he also possesses many heroic traits; he is hardworking, influential, and selfless. Derek is an inspiration to me because he is one of my role models. I can always look to him when I need guidance. Derek has worked very hard to get to where he is today. Even with all the fame and attention, he is still humble and giving. Jeter is an ideal role model to any kid growing up across the country. He is selfless and humble even though he makes millions of dollars every year. He started his own foundation to help kids avoid drugs and alcohol and be successful in school. Derek inspires these kids to do their best by setting a good example. Derek Jeter is inspirational because he is a true modern day hero. Derek has done so much for the community and the children around him. He helps these children get through school, go to college, and become leaders of the future. Derek also teaches these kids the morals and heroic traits that his own parents taught him, allowing them to follow in his footsteps and become future heroes of our nation.

Works Consulted

Covert, Kim. "Derek Jeter." Derek Jeter (9780736807777) (2001): 4. Biography Reference

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"Derek Jeter." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 10 2013, 02:30

"JockBio: Derek Jeter Biography." JockBio: Derek Jeter Biography. Black Book Partners, 2011.   Web. 10 May 2013.

Robinson, Tom. Derek Jeter: Captain on and off the Field. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2006.   Print.

SULLIVAN, JAMES J. "Derek Jeter." Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Thematic          Series: The 1960s. Ed. William L. O'Neill and Kenneth T. Jackson. New York: Charles           Scribner's Sons, 2002. Biography In Context. Web. 10 May 2013.