A hero is someone that sets out with only their goal in mind and stops at nothing to achieve it. It wasn’t until I read the various stories that I came to this conclusion. I read about different people with different goals or dreams that all came to one University and accomplished something bigger than themselves. Heroes are not limited to what already exist; they break the mold and invent new ways, new styles and they make changes when needed.
When it came to hearts, Denton Cooley saw a “whole new opportunity for [himself] as a young surgeon” (TxTell: UT Stories, Denton Cooley, X931)[1]. He knew what he wanted to do and stopped at nothing to achieve it. Performing the “first successful heart transplant in the United States” and introducing “'bloodless’ heart surgery”, Cooley paved a new way, set the bar higher, and in doing so, caused others to improve. 
[2] As the picture shows, the heart is complicated and one can immediately understand the medical milestone he led to. Luis Jimenez also had great influence over others, but it didn’t seem that way at first as he received negative remarks about his work. Keeping his goal in mind, he continued to do what he was passionate about and it led to his amazing “fiberglass depictions of cowboys and Indians” earning him a spot on a list of the “'most impressive, intriguing, and influential Texans’” (TxTell: UT Stories, Luis Jimenez, X935). In both situations, these men set out in their own paths to achieve something new and inspiring.
[3] In this picture you can see Luis Jimenez and his the outstanding work.
The most inspiring heroes, to me, were the ones who saw were something needed to be changed and stopped at nothing to not only find a way to change it, but make that miraculous change a reality. Heman Sweatt went against all odds and fought with everything he could to bring about a radical change at the University of Texas. His dream was to go to law school at UT which would mean breaking the “racial barriers” that kept fellow African Americans from doing the same. Heman was a hero because he was striving for more than a personal goal and gave up whatever it took to achieve it. In a similar way, Leon O’Neal encouraged Julius Whittier “that the only way for Texas football to change would be for blacks to come to Texas and change it” (Texas, Our Texas, Julius Whittier, X919). 
[4] This helped Julius to realize that it wasn’t just about his life, but the lives of all the other talented athletes who desired to play at UT. The most significant change was brought to my attention a few weeks ago, and I was reminded of it as I read “The Times They Were A’Changing”. This change involved the whole University. Students begin to think for themselves, and in doing so changed their world. Sure, they might have been “terribly self-righteous”, but they took matters into their own hands and made their own judgments from the knowledge they gathered (Texas, Our Texas, Betty S. Flowers, X914). Betty Flowers had a huge impact on Bill Moyers who claimed she was “the person who [he] would wish to be born as” (TxTell: UT Stories, Bill Moyers, X938). Moyers was a student of hers, and he learned to write in a way that connected things that most did not see a connection in.
When I think of a hero, one name comes to mind: Martin Luther King Jr. 
[5] He had a dream, and he died fighting for it. In a crown of sonnets, I wrote all about Dr. King’s life:
“For a man that could compare there were none
Righteously he lived to be a good son
Everyone could see a bright burning Light
Extending a hand to those who lost sight”[6]
My dream is to be a part of something radical that inspires others to seek the truth that is hidden and question everything. I want to see my dream come true or die trying. The University of Texas has molded passionate, goal-driven people into incredible leaders and heroes, and it will continue to forever. The only question is who will be the next to rise above and make their dream come true?
[1] Bump, Jerome. Leadership and U.T. 66540. 2, Austin: Jenn's Copy & Binding, 2008.
[2] http://blogs.indiewire.com/twhalliii/heart_med.jpg (accessed October 13, 2008).
[3] http://americanart.si.edu/eyelevel/images/jimenez_and_vaquero.jpg (accessed October 13, 2008).
[4] http://www.prizes1.com/texas%20football%20gm.jpg (accessed October 13, 2008).
[5] http://www.writespirit.net/inspirational_talks/political/martin_luther_king_talks/martin-luther-king2.jpg (accessed October 13, 2008).
[6] Hargrove, Ellen. "King of Kings." (2008):
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