Joannie Rochette

Joannie Rochette at the 2010 Winter Olympics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rochette_2010_Olympics_SP.jpg)

To me, a hero is someone who does anything good out of their heart even when no one's watching. They take on a job that nobody might be willing to do. A hero helps anyone who is suffering. They should be able to accept the truth even if it's the worst. One characteristic a hero should possess is determination so they can get the task done. They should also possess passion to help anyone in need even if it's someone they don't know. A hero needs confidence and faith in themselves to believe that they can do it. The last characteristic a hero should possess is perseverance because a hero should never give up even when the worst happens. I have many heroes, but Joannie Rochette stands out the most to me.

Joannie Rochette was born on January 13, 1986, in Montreal, Quebec. But she was raised up in IIe Dupas, Quebec. She can speak both English and French. Right now she is a college student at Andre-Grasset where she hopes to get a diploma in science. Joannie Rochette is an international figure skater who has gained experience throughout her years of skating. She started skating when she was only 22 months old, but serious training began when she turned six. Her coach right now is Manon Perron and her choreographers are David Wilson, Shae-Lynn Bourne, and Lori Nichol. Joannie is currently training in St. Leonard, Quebec. She made many accomplishments including competing at the Winter Olympics twice. She placed 5th in 2006 and 3rd in 2010. She has also been the Canadian Figure Skating Championship champion for 6 years in a row. This year at the Winter Olympics, just two days before she skated her short program, her mother, Therese Rochette, age 55, died from a heart attack. Joannie was depressed and miserable, but she overcame her grief by skating a clean program in honor of her mother.

Joannie Rochette represents a hero in many ways. She has a kind but strongly willing heart. Joannie possesses determination by always fighting to the end of her routines on the ice. She also shows determination by battling endless early morning practices almost every day. Joannie sacrifices and risks so much to become who she is now. She also possesses passion. When she steps on the ice, you know she loves it. She has a positive attitude every time. Her skates glide elegantly across the ice while her face expresses 1000 words. She's one in a million of the figure skaters who skate with their heart. Joannie lives up to her life every day.

Joannie Rochette has a lot of confidence in her skating. She practices with elegance and grace every time. Joannie skates with faith, and you can see it. She has a big smile and great posture. Each competition she grows more and more confident. Every time she competes, she also grows greater focus and better precision. Joannie never gives up at competitions. She skates to the end even if everything went wrong. She always keeps her mother in her mind to remind herself that no matter what happens, her mother's still proud of her. She's skates in honor of her mother every time.

Joannie Rochette is a hero I look up to a lot. She is my hero because I am a figure skater as well. Joannie is magnificently brave and humble. She overcame her greatest loss ever at the Winter Olympics, her mother, but she learned that if you keep trying you'll always come close to succeeding. Joannie looks on the bright side of things and always looks forward to skating. She has a spot in my heart and I'll never forget what she did. Joannie is an outstanding figure skater and she has everything a hero possesses. Joannie Rochette is not just a great figure skater, she also has a good heart and a great smile.