The MY HERO staff reviews every story submitted to the site and selects stories that are not only well-written, but also speak to the heart of both the writer and the reader. Stories selected for T-SHIRT prizes might be chosen to feature as well.
Angel Heroes: People who have lifted our spirits and given us hope through acts of kindness.
“How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single minute before starting to improve the world.” ~ Anne Frank
Austin Gutwein
By: Lindsey from Palmer, Massachusetts
Austin Gutwein founded Hoops of Hope.
Papa Lloyd
By: Jenna from San Francisco
Papa Lloyd did not let his blindness keep him from serving his community.
Animal Heroes: We honor animals who have saved lives and soothed spirits, and the people who have devoted their lives to helping animals.
Ginny
By: Lossiebeth
Ginny had a wonderful instinct for finding cats in need and rescuing them.
Artist Heroes: Painters, photographers, designers, filmmakers, actors and musical performers who have shared their talents and brought us a new vision of life.
Ken Theeradej Wongpuapan
By: Ka Shoua Thao from Fresno
Ken Theeradej Wongpuapan is a popular Thai actor and UNICEF Youth Ambassador.
Todor Proeski
By: Tiyana from Las Vegas
Todor Proeski
was a famous Macedonian singer-songwriter who held benefit concerts for UNICEF.
Mariya Bashkirtseva
By: Yulia from Kirovograd
Business Heroes: Entrepreneurs who have created successful businesses with regard for the needs of the community.
Soichiro Honda
By: Isabella from San Francisco
Soichiro Honda was a successful inventor and businessman who built the Honda Motor Company.
Community Heroes: Citizens who have contributed to their communities.
Becky Matkov
By: Madeline from Miami
Becky Matkov
works to preserve Miami's indigenous history.
Nick Jonas
inspires listeners to his music with his meaningful lyrics.
Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky
By: Yelda from Lawndale
“The creative process is like music which takes root with extraordinary force and rapidity”
Riley B. King
By: Bryan from Fredericksburg
Riley B. King
is recognized as one of the greatest Blues guitarists.
Peacemaker Heroes: Leaders who have worked passionately to promote peace and justice in the world.
Archbishop Oscar Romero
By: Natalie from San Francisco
Archbishop Oscar Romero was a passionate voice of hope, peace and justice in war-torn El Salvador.
Barack Obama
By: Elaine
Barack Obama
was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment and efforts to promote peace in the world.
Evgeny Alexeevich Gerzhov
By: Yulya from Smorgon
Evgeny Alexeevich Gerzhov
that living in peace with other countries is absolutely necessary.
James F. Canan
By: Amanda from Billings
Mohamed Anwar El Sadat
By: Youssef from Cairo
Mohamed Anwar El Sadat
risked his life for peace.
Oscar Arias Sanchez
By: Ashley from Spokane
Oscar Arias Sanchez
won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to establish peace in Central America.
Sadako Sasaki
By: Molly from Minneapolis
“I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.”
Theodore Roosevelt
By: Josh from Grand Rapids
Theodore Roosevelt
won the Nobel Prize for Peace for brokering a treaty between Japan and Russia.
Poet Heroes: These heroes use language to change the way we look at the world and help us to connect with one another.
Fadwa Touqan
By: Walaa from Jerusalem
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
By: Bethany from Canada
"If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility" Henry W. Longfellow
Science Heroes: Astronomers, chemists, physicists, and doctors and others who have advanced our understanding of how the world works.
Bernardo Houssay
By: Nicolas from Buenos Aires
Bernardo Houssay
was an Argentinean physiologist and Nobel Prize winner.
“Building our future is a social responsibility that excludes nobody. It is his responsibility, her responsibility and it is Rania's responsibility. It is ‘and’ and not ‘or’. ”
Susan Butcher
By: Anna from Grand Rapids
Susan Butcher
was a champion Iditarod racer.
Sandra Kay Yow
By: Callie from Roxboro
Sandra Kay Yow
is a groundbreaking women's basketball coach and founder of Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.
Writer Heroes: Authors whose writings have enriched and given meaning to our lives.
Anne Frank
By: Emma from Greytown, New Zealand
"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." ~ Anne Frank
Rose Wilder Lane
By: Julianne from Glenbrook Middle School
Rose Wilder Lane
was a prolific author who helped her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder, become an accomplished writer.
Young Heroes: Young people who did not let their age deter them from making a difference in their communities and the world.
Looking for Your Lincoln Hero Essay & Art Contest 2009