Shaun White

Shaun White during the 2010 Olympics. (http://gadgetalk.co.cc/wp-content/uploads/shaunwhite.jpg)

At the Winter Olympics of 2010 in Vancouver, the U.S. finished with a total of thirty-seven medals, in which nine of them were gold. Out of these nine competitors, a snowboarder by the name of Shaun White was one of the accomplished athletes to receive one. With an achievement of winning an Olympic medal at a young age of twenty-three, people have begun to look at the sport a little differently. Shaun was born on September 3, 1986 in Carlsbad, California. At just nearly a year old, he suffered from a heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. To recover, Shaun needed two surgeries, but nothing could stop him from being active. When he was about six years old, he started to watch his older brother Jesse snowboard. He tried to follow his moves, and nearly a year later Shaun entered into his first competition. Winning about every competition he competed in, he soon became sponsored by Burton and turned pro at the age of thirteen. In 2003, Shaun White competed in his first Winter X Games. He won a gold medal in the slope style and the super pipe and also won the X Games’ best-athlete award. The next competition he competed in was the U.S. Open Slope style Championship and then soon continued on to the Olympics in 2006 and 2010. Because of his courage, perseverance and contributions to people in need, Shaun White shows that he is a true hero.

Shaun White has the courage to do something adventurous and dangerous every day, the half-pipe. Unlike many people, Shaun has the gut to try anything that will make him a better snowboarder. Shaun was able to do outrageous things, since the start of Project X. In the spring of 2009, one of Shaun’s sponsors created a private half-pipe, located in Silverton, Colorado. There he can practice, perfect and try out new tricks. The half-pipe includes a giant foam pit, about 20 feet by 30 feet at the end, for Shaun to fall safely, when learning and testing out new tricks. Because he tries the most dangerous tricks, having courage is definitely important for Shaun when it comes to snowboarding. It can be very dangerous, but Shaun does a good job showing that he is fearless of injury. Shaun White also shows courage because he was also born severely bow-legged and had to wear leg braces at night. Even though Shaun had problems as a child, he still had the courage to be very active and not worry about his heart and legs. It takes a lot to do the things he did, and it inspires people to keeping trying and be fearless no matter what. And because Shaun has the courage to do dangerous tricks every day, many people could take after his example and discover their own courage too.

Shaun White's private halfpipe in Silverton, Colo (http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/RedBull/RBImages/000/000/475/868/photo610x343a/280209SB06.jpg)

Another way Shaun White shows that he is a hero is through his perseverance and strong work ethic. Shaun strives every day and focuses continuously to be the best he could be. When Shaun had two surgeries for his heart, he persevered and fought through to recover quickly. Nothing could stop him from being active, including heart surgery, and it’s amazing how a little dedication can take a person so far and so close to reaching their goals. Shaun White also perseveres when he is learning a new trick. Sometimes it takes him almost ten tries to get the trick down, but Shaun will not move on to a new trick until the one he is working on is perfected and capable of doing over and over. It’s what prepares him for competitions and turns him into a world champion snowboarder. His strong work ethic in the end pays off, and it is what has gotten him so far into his snowboarding career.

Shaun White in his foam-pit made by Red Bull. (http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/RedBull/RBImages/000/000/832/908/photo610x343a/260209SB03.jpg)

Shaun also shows that he is a hero because he gives back to many communities. Like many people, Shaun loves to work with children and contribute to different charities. “Shaun also spends time at Target House, a residence for families and patients receiving long-term treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He recently designed and funded the creation of the Shaun White Great Room--a place to hang out, explore and meet new friends.” (http://shaunwhite.com/bio/about/). Shaun’s contribution was such a big help that over 1300 families have already lived at the free apartments for the children receiving treatment. Shaun has also made contributions to many other organizations including Yum-o! Yum-O! is a non-profit organization that provided families with meals and cooking tools to create healthy meals, to help keep America healthy and reduce the number of overweight people. Contributing to charities and developing programs for hospitals has been so life-changing to many people that it also encourages them to stay positive and help other people.

Because Shaun White shows that he has courage, perseveres through everything and gives back to the community, he is a perfect example of a true hero. Even though he had to go through tough times as a child, he was fearless and kept striving to be the best. He achieves his dreams every day and conquers anything in his path to be the best. Shaun White also encourages and inspires people to see that if they work hard enough, achieving their goals and dream in life is only a step away.