STORIES
Library
DONATE

Tamika Sykes

by Tyler from Pickerington

"A boy doesn't have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't enough to go around." --Edgar Watson

There are many definitions of a hero for example, a hero could be someone who flies, has superpowers, is nice and etc. To me a hero is much more than all of those things. I think a hero is much more than that. My definition of a hero is someone who works hard or does nice things for other without expecting something in return. A person who is a good role model and people can look up to. Someone that has good intentions that comes from the heart. Even if they have been through tough times they are still considered a hero because they help others not make the mistakes that they made.

I think it is very important to have a hero. It is important because everyone should have someone to look up to. This allows us to see what’s right and what’s wrong so that we make good choices. Heroes can change someone’s life instantly.

In the "The Orange Houses," the person I have chosen as a hero is Tamika Sykes. She has so many that I decided to just chosen three. I have chosen her because she shows many characteristics of a hero like, protecting others, “Mik put herself between Shanelle and The G, took another shot from Sha as she protected the kid” (Griffin 48). Another characteristic she shows is compassion by telling her friend Fatima, “Spending that money on aids is wrong. I’d rather put it to helping your sister come here” (Griffin 64). The last characteristic I chose is that she is trustworthy, “The cops never come here anymore,” Mik said. “I promise.” Then Fatima says, “I trust you, I do” (Griffin 81).

Tamika Sykes (or Mik for short) should be inducted into the Hero Hall Of Fame because she went through many different challenges to get her to where she is now. She has difficulty with her hearing, she has been bullied, she had to deal with her friend, Jimmi, getting hung and she still stayed strong. She didn’t let her impaired hearing get in the way of anything she wanted to do. She stuck up for her friends and always cared about the well being of everyone. Also she never put herself before others and helped out the best she could. Mik has a very inspirational story and has moved lots of people who have read it.

Q: Who is your hero and why? A: I would have to say my two best friends Fatima and Jimmi Sixes. I am not choosing them just because they are my friends but because of everything they’ve gone through. I am choosing Fatima because she came to New York all by herself and has left all of her family back in Africa, which must be really hard. Also she has to deal with people calling her a terrorist just because of what she looks like or what she wears. I am choosing Jimmi because of sooo many things. He went from being a drug addict to changing his life around, he protected me when Shanelle and her group tried to kill me, and he was hung and beaten because of me. People judge him just by one look and think that something is wrong with him. In reality he is so nice, sweet, and a really great friend. Q: What are three characteristics you think a hero should have? A: Hmmm, I think a hero should be brave, trustworthy, and courage. Q: Do you think heroes are important? A: Yes I do. I think so because seeing where I come from there is a lot of crime and violence. Everyone should have a good influence in their lives someone who can totally turn their whole lives around. Q: Do you believe anyone can be a hero? A: Yes. I think in some part in everyone’s lifetime they will be a hero, even if they don’t know it. The smallest thing or the biggest thing can make someone a hero. Q: What is your definition of a hero? A: A hero to me is someone who puts others before themselves, someone who is strong and brave. Q: What is your favorite color? A: I like bright colors because where I live most of the time is dull. Q: Who is your favorite musician? A: BEETHOVEN, of course, I idolize him because even though he was hearing-impaired, he didn’t let that stop him from his dream!!! Q: Do you like any other musicians? A: Umm, I like Bach and Mozart. I really just like classical music. It puts me in a good mood. Q: When you get older, where would you like to live? A: I would like to live in the somewhere in the south where it’s nice and warm. All I know is New York and the cold weather. Q: Do you plan on going to college? A: I would absolutely love to go to college. I’m not quite sure if it’ll happen or not but I really want to go.

Page created on 4/17/2011 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 4/17/2011 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.