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Tony Hawk

by Nicolas from San Diego

 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/7077921/Tony-Hawk-skateboarding-superstar.html)
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/7077921/Tony-Hawk-skateboarding-superstar.html)

Skateboarders are not usually known for their extreme generosity and interest in world problems, but fortunately, there is one that works for a better cause. Tony Hawk, once known as the best skater in the world, has found that there is a problem that exists in this country. The problem with this is that we are so concerned about what is happening in other parts of the world, that we have been too busy to look on our own doorstep. Tony found that children in underprivileged neighborhoods usually live their life doing nothing but getting into trouble, and Tony has been working vigorously to stop that. Tony came up with the idea that if these kids have something in their lives that is both fun and safe, their lives probably won't lead to a life of violence. Using his heroic characteristics of care, determination, and philanthropy, Tony Hawk is living proof of someone who found a problem in our community, and changed it for the better.

Tony Hawk is living proof of someone who found a problem in our community, and changed it for the better. Tony Hawk is a professional skateboarder that truly cares about the children of at-risk neighborhoods, and even those across the world. Tony wants to make sure that the kids that live in these at-risk neighborhoods don't go and live out a life of crime and violence. Tony has co-founded a charity to be able to fund the building of skateparks in these neighborhoods, so that they can see that there can be more to life than what they were given, and they can work hard to achieve something. Tony states this in the letter that he wrote: "The skate parks in high-risk areas that we have helped to fund are thriving-they offer kids a safe place to go and something to do that gives them a sense of self-esteem they may never find anywhere else" (Tony Hawk Foundation). Tony can be shown as caring because he knows that there is a problem occurring in at-risk areas, and he wants to fix it, and this is by building skate parks, so that kids can see that there is a life beyond what they were given. Beyond making sure that their lives don't lead out to violence, Tony also works to make sure that an emphasis is put on the whole country, showing them that there are kids, on our side of the world, that need our help. This is shown as Sheen wrote: "Since it's inception, the Tony Hawk Foundation has sought to foster lasting improvements in society, with an emphasis on serving underprivileged children.Through grants and other charitable donations, the foundation supports programs focused on the creation of public skateboard parks"(Sheen 84). Tony thinks that skating is an amazing sport, and that it can help children that come from an underprivileged background. He believes that skating can help turn them on to something that can improve their life for the better. Tony really works hard to make sure that the kids in at-risk neighborhoods have something to do other than getting themselves in trouble, and he does this through the creation of skateparks.

 (http://theskateboardmag.com/2009/12/tony-hawk-foun ())
(http://theskateboardmag.com/2009/12/tony-hawk-foun ())

As a professional skateboarder, Tony did not get to where he was without his determination. The determination that Tony had through childhood has really helped him, in the sense that he now uses this determination for the better, and to help his charity fund the creation of public and free skate parks. This is shown here: "At the age of twelve, Tony earned competitive sponsorship from Dogtown Skateboards. At the age of fourteen, he became a professional skateboarder. In his early years of competition, he invented some aerial skateboard tricks, including 'airwalk'; 'stalefish'; 'gymnast plant'; '540,' in which the rider spins 540 degrees while in the air; 'frontside blunt'; '720,' in which the rider spins 720 degrees while in the air; and many others. Later in his life, he accomplished the '900'" (Doughty). When Tony was a kid, he started out not being determined in anything. Throughout his childhood, he learned that he was not in the correct mindset. When he got out of it, he went on to achieve great success. Tony's determination was not just noticed by himself, but by others too. As Bruce writes: "Undoubtedly the most famous skateboarder in the world, Tony Hawk has achieved his pioneering status through his incredible determination and athletic ability" (Bruce). Tony was determined throughout his career, and this is why he became the best skateboarder in the world. If it wasn't for this, he might have turned out completely different. The determination that Tony had through childhood was outstanding, showing how he became the best skater in the world. This is shown here: "Hawk was a professional skateboarder in the then lucrative California pro circuit at age 14. At age 16, he was regarded as the best skateboarder in the world" (Hawk, Tony). Tony is considered determined because he worked really hard throughout his life. He became a professional skateboarder when he was 14, and became the world's best at 16. Tony has been a success throughout his entire life. If it was not for his determination, he would never had become the best skater in the world, as well as including the outstanding success of his charity, The Tony Hawk Foundation.

 (http://siriusbuzz.com/tony-hawk-takes-new-york.php ())
(http://siriusbuzz.com/tony-hawk-takes-new-york.php ())

Tony works for the better so that he can aid these at-risk neighborhoods in need, for a good reason too. Tony knows that these kids are not getting that much attention from the rest of the country. He also knows that this situation must be put to an end. As it says here: "Since it's inception, the Tony Hawk Foundation has sought to foster lasting improvements in society, with an emphasis on serving underprivileged children.Through grants and other charitable donations, the foundation supports programs focused on the creation of public skateboard parks"(Sheen 84). Tony knows that this is a problem, and he is determined to make it known. Tony also puts it that this charity he has is also become a success here: "With our help, skateparks are growing steadily in numbers, but we still need plenty more of them, built correctly, and located in communities where kids are most at-risk. We are committed to helping those in need more than ever before, and our staff is an encyclopedia of knowledge on the process, resources, and benefits of building free, public skate parks in areas where they are needed most"(Tony Hawk Foundation). Tony works for the better because he wants to make sure that every child is given a chance, and that they do not go off and live a life of violence and crime.Tony works for the better. He is famous, and he uses that fame to fund his charity. He wants to make sure that children know there is a life better than the one given to them, and that it is possible to reach that goal.

Not all skaters are cop-hating know-it-alls who go through life on their own rules. Tony Hawk is living proof that skaters can be good people, and really good at that. As Tony put it in the letter that he wrote: "With our help, skateparks are growing steadily in numbers, but we still need plenty more of them, built correctly, and located in communities where kids are most at-risk" (Tony Hawk Foundation). Through his philanthropy, abundance of care, and his desire to work for the better, Tony has been doing a really good job at maintaining one of the problems that we have on our own doorstep. He uses his fame to promote his charity, called The Tony Hawk Foundation, and can support better living for at risk kids. Tony Hawk maintains the correct abilities of a hero, and that is to care, work hard, and work for a better future.





Works Cited


Bruce, Erika. "Tony Hawk." Tony Hawk (2006): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.


Doughty, Pamela D. "Tony Hawk." Great Athletes (Salem Press) (2009): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.


"Hawk, Tony." World of Sports Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2007. 348-349. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.


Sheen, Barbara. Tony Hawk. Detroit: Lucent, 2008. Print.


"Tony Hawk Foundation | Supporting Youth and Public Skateparks." Tony Hawk Foundation. Tony Hawk Foundation, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2014. <http://www.tonyhawkfoundation.org/>.

Page created on 1/10/2014 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 1/10/2014 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

The Tony Hawk Foundation - Tony's Charity