The Extraordinary Impact of Ordinary Heroes
One of the most interesting ideas we studied in Seminar last year was a concept called “the Banality of Heroism.” The idea is this: we often think of heroes as people who perform grand, dramatic acts—discovering cures to deadly diseases, running into raging fires, standing proudly with their chests puffed out and capes waving majestically. But in real life, heroism is rarely like that. It happens in the unnoticed decisions and ordinary actions that reveal the strength of our character.
Heroism, in other words, can be banal, or ordinary; it can live in the everyday. And that’s good news. Because while few of us are ever going to pull someone out of a burning building, all of us can offer someone a seat at our lunch table. Or share notes with a classmate who missed a lesson. Or check in on someone who looks uncomfortable.
“Jackson,” you think to yourself. “Sounds great and all, but who actually bothers doing any of that?” Well, everyday heroes do it. And it once made all the difference to me.
It was the first day of school, and I was a nervous fourteen-year-old. I walked into the Upper Gym for my first-ever gym class with Mr. Docherty, and as I crossed the Upper Loggia to the beat of constant dribbling, I realized, much to my dismay, we were playing basketball. Now, in case my towering stature hasn’t given it away, I’m not exactly a natural on the court. So, I stood there, unsure of what to do.
And then, something ordinary happened. One of my new classmates casually walked up, passed me a ball, and said, “want to shoot around?” That was it. That simple act changed everything.
He didn’t have to do it. He could’ve joined another group, he could’ve walked away, he could’ve pretended not to notice me. But instead, he chose ordinary heroism. And this act, which to him lasted only an instant, has stayed with me for the past four years. In that moment, I was no longer just a new kid; I became a Crescent Coyote, and this place became my second home.
This year, as a Prefect team, we chose the motto “embrace your values to find your purpose.” And looking back, I think that’s exactly what that moment—and so many others like it—have taught us. Every day, we are surrounded by banal heroes: our family, our friends, our mentors, teachers and coaches. Each has the capacity to inspire us, and we them, with these seemingly “ordinary” acts of heroism.
Because when you live by your values—respect, responsibility, honesty and compassion—you don’t have to be up on a podium or wearing a fancy tie to make a difference. You just have to make the simple, ordinary choice to show up for the people around you.
So as we say goodbye—or hopefully, just "see you later"—I want to remind you that you don’t need to be larger-than-life to make an impact. You don’t need to be perfect, or fearless, or have everything figured out.
You just need to care.
You just need to try.
You just need to be an ordinary hero.
