Tori Degen

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Everyone is a HERO in their own lives. You don’t have to be fantastic at certain things – you can be an ordinary man but highly motivated to reach challenging goals. It is, however, much easier to be good at certain things because it can get along with talent, but to face challenges in life it simply requires courage and motivation.

Tori Degen was born and brought up in Laguna Beach, California. Tori is the one whom I admire as my hero. Tori was challenged by life – it helped her to discover about herself. Tori wasn’t expecting it when life set a challenge to test her courage and willingness to change. At the age of 14 she was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Tori was optimistic and courageous. During this challenging time she discovered her love for public speaking and her devotion to help others without expecting a return or any profit. She is dedicated towards her studies and clearly recognizes her responsibilities.

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Tori was 14 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which was a serious medical condition. Tori was fortunate because she was treated by some of the best doctors in the world. During her treatment she even lost her hair but she confidently went to school and never felt insecure when surrounded by people. She described herself as a very optimistic person – as she took things as they came. The outcome of her second surgery was hard for her to accept because she was told that after this surgery she cannot have her own children. But she summoned up her courage and continued looking at the brighter side of the picture with a positive attitude. And now she feels excited about the fact that she can adopt someday. While explaining hard times in life she said, “It will be difficult for a while but one can always get through it and it makes it so much easier for people around you and yourself if you can just chose to go through it with a positive attitude”.

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they are supposed to help you discover who you are”- Bernice Johnson Reagon. This is exactly what Tori did. She discovered her love for public speaking during this challenging time. Tori is part of many respectable organizations. She is an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Tori was lucky enough that her wish was granted by ‘Make-A-Wish Foundation’ of Orange County and she spent a day with an American soccer team. After her wish was granted she became an ambassador for Make-A-Wish. She devoted much of her in giving back to the community and people whom she thinks have helped her so much in her difficult times. She really likes to share her story with people. She helps in fund raising events, makes public speeches and has completed volunteer services with Make-A-Wish. For past many years she is involved with the American Cancer Society. She believes that if we keep on smiling, other people around us will also do the same thing. And it will all turn out to be good. She works for the community not for reward or for recognition but because she wants to make this society a better place to live in. As Dennis Weaver has said, “The wise person understands that his own happiness must include the happiness of others”.

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She is highly dedicated and determined for education. After graduating from high school, Tori moved to San Francisco to go San Francisco State University. Half a year later she moved to Southern California. She completed one semester at Saddleback Community College. Then she transferred to California State University from where she was graduated in May, 2010. She loves writing and making speeches because of which she did communication and public relations majors minoring in Journalism. Tori was highly motivated to work with a well respected organization, not only for profit but to make a good use of her education.

Even though Tori faced a lot of challenges in life, she never lost hope and courageously faced it and discovered her hidden capabilities. As Mary Dunbar once said, “We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light”. Tori being optimistic discovered her love for public speaking and helping people. She is courageous and motivated for her studies while recognizes her responsibilities. These qualities of Tori make her my hero because everyone of us cannot face challenges like the way she did. She used these difficult times in discovering and exploring herself in order to be a better human being.