We understand you're new to the whole "saving the world" business, but we believe you're the perfect person for this mission! Here in Mirrors Volume #2, you'll find everything you need to journey through time and around the world. You'll assemble knowledge of the greatest heroes to ever leave their mark. You'll meet your peers who stand up every single day. Read their stories, reflect on their significance, and use that power to make a difference. Anybody can change the world, and you're on your way to becoming the hero we all need right now.

Sitting Bull was born in modern day Montana around 1831 and became a leader of the Hunkpapa Lakota people, which were located in modern day South Dakota. From the age of fourteen he was seen as a courageous warrior and a natural leader. Having been honored with an eagle feather for his bravery from his father, he became known as Sitting Bull.

He and his people were attacked by General Alfred Sully in the United States Civil War and were driven out of their territory for being wrongfully accused of participating in the Dakota War of 1862. These attacks from United States soldiers left a sour taste in Sitting Bull's mouth toward the United States. He led a few battles against US Soldiers in North Dakota, and while leading one particular attack he was struck by a bullet, suffering minor injuries.

After multiple US military forts were established in and around the land of Oglala and Hunkpapa Lakota people, many leaders and Chiefs were upset with the invasion of their space. Red Cloud, the leader of the Oglala Lakota people, signed a treaty with the US to gain compensation for their land. Sitting Bull refused to sign the treaty because he said, "I wish all to know that I do not propose to sell any part of my country." Which was not the first time he felt this way, but definitely one of the strongest. After this statement was released, he continued travelling around modern-day Missouri leading attacks against the US Military.

As the engine rose to the height of its power in the Industrial Revolution, railroad companies were determined to spread the railroad from coast to coast. With the production of the railroad came resistance from Indigenous Peoples. Among them was Sitting Bull refusing to give up his people's land for the construction of the railroad. The United States was stuck in a position where they could not pay for the land they wanted since Sitting Bull was so persistent. With his back on the ropes, President Grant released an order forcing all Native Americans to move onto reservations. Sitting Bull wanted nothing to do with the United States government, so the military pursued him and his people since they were seen as "threats" to the United States.

These actions led to the Great Sioux War of 1876 where Sitting Bull led his people to protect their land. The US Government saw Sitting Bull as their primary target, and he sought shelter in the regions surrounding the present day Midwest hiding out with his warriors and trying to fight when they could. At the Battle of Little Bighorn he had thousands of people join in the fight to help them push back against the US Military. After this short victory Native Americans who had left the reservation to fight were arrested and detained in US jails and prisons. The US forced the Lakota people to surrender but Sitting Bull refused.

Five years later Sitting Bull returned to the US and surrendered after facing hardships regarding food and health for the past few years. When surrendering, Sitting Bull said, "I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle." Which meant he wanted to be seen as the last of all his people to have surrendered to the United States.

In 1890 there were suspicions that Sitting Bull and his last 100 tribe members were planning on escaping the reservation they were sanctioned on and he was arrested. On December 15, 1890, he refused to be arrested since their suspicions were false and he was killed for resisting.

Though he surrendered in the end, Sitting Bull is one of the greatest resistance leaders of all time. He led his people to victory after victory of those who tried to take what wasn't rightfully theirs from his people. He had courage and bravery to stand up against one of the scariest military powers of the 19th century time and time again. He stood up for what was right and he might've not won in the end, but he did give thousands the courage to stand up for what they believe in and what they think is right.

By: Holden C.

Nina Simone was born in Tryon, North Carolina, on April 21, 1933. She was an American singer and songwriter. Simone also played a major role in Civil Rights Movement. She used her voice as a powerful tool to make change in the world.

Nina Simone started learning music at the age of three, and she soon knew she wanted to be the first major African American concert pianist. She applied to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and got rejected because she was Black. Nina Simone turned to more singing after that and began recording her music by herself in the 1950s. Her music portrayed things going on in the Civil Rights Movement. Her song “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” is a powerful showcase of racial problems faced by the African American community.

By the mid 1960s, Simone became known as the "voice" of the Civil Rights Movement. Nina Simone’s music career was going well, but she struggled with mental health issues and finances, so she took a break for a few years. She ultimately returned to the stage in 1978. In her final years, she battled breast cancer but continued to make an impact with her powerful voice.

By: Haley D.

Born on July 18, 1990, Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, mostly known as Canelo Alvarez, is a Mexican professional boxer from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He is by far one of the most popular boxers in the world right now. He has held multiple world titles in different weight groups over the course of his career. He was born in a family of eight children, in which the older son decided to take up boxing, inspiring the rest of the family. Canelo turned professional at the age of 13. He has gone on to hold 11 titles. Canelo has defended his belts against Shane Mosely, Josesito Lopez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, Triple G, and more. He has had many famous fights against champions and legends over the years. Canelo is known for his excellent counterpunch. Alvarez is ranked as the world’s best active boxer and is ranked as the second most excellent Mexican fighter of all time.

By: Berenice M.

Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tusacubaina, Alabama. Helen was born a healthy baby girl. The Keller family wasn’t particularly wealthy; they earned their income through their plantation. When Helen was six months old, she started to speak. Around one she could fully walk. When she was almost two, however, she lost her hearing and eyesight. At the time doctors didn’t know what caused the loss. Doctors now think she had scarlet fever or a disease that caused a really high fever.

On March 3, 1887, Helen’s life changed forever. Anne Mansfield Sullvian came to Tusacubain to be her teacher. Anne was a 20 year old graduate of the Perkins School of the Blind. Anne thought the best way of reaching Helen was to be obedient with love. Anne’s way of teaching Helen was through signing with her hand. Anne thought that teaching Helen words through objects would be one of the best ways for learning. Anne successfully taught Helen to form all letters and in the correct order.

From a very young age Helen knew she wanted to go to college. In 1898, she went to the Cambridge School for Young Ladies to prepare for Radcliffe College. She was accepted into Radcliffe in 1900, and she graduated in 1904 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1905, Helen published her first book, “The Story of My Life." The book mostly addressed her childhood and young adult life. She went on to work with various foundations, attempting to make a difference and exist as a symbol to show the world what one can do through heroic actions.

By: Cinthia R.

Aidan Eslinger is a talented sophomore at Conway High School. Along with juggling AP English, various other classes, and a social life, he also maintains a work life. However, his occupation is not what one might expect. He is a self-publisher for books and screenplays.

His journey didn’t start in Arkansas. He is originally from Georgia, where as a kid he would cut cardboard boxes and make them into covers for his writing. At a young age he wrote his first published book The Colorful Sky. It wasn’t really recognized, but this didn’t halt his creativity and he continued to do what he enjoyed.

After moving to Jonesboro, Arkansas, he took to acting and screenwriting. Aidan auditioned for a play but was rejected for the part. Viewing this as a chance, he decided to write his own production. Together with family and friends from church he put on his performance and surprised the crowd.

This was just the beginning, though. He made his way to Conway with his mother. Here they found his first published book in a store. His parents then urged him to continue with his dream. With her encouraging words he proceeded to write more books and screenplays.

It wasn't easy, however, because he admitted that writing books is out of his comfort zone. He prefers to write screenplays because he can include a better sense of his wild imagination. He tells us that through acting he can get the emotions of his characters to us easier. He doesn't write notes either. His works include thoughts straight from his mind.

As his career progressed he began attending book signings and visiting schools to discuss his work. He has worked hard to create a fan base, and wishes to watch it grow further. His most recent book is called The King of Pangea. He states this is his favorite one out of the ones he has written. Even though his most recent work is his favorite, the first two both held important meanings. You can find his works on his website at AidanEslinger.com or on Amazon with a signed copy available.

“Don’t let people determine how you do things. Do them the way you do them and how you see fit.” He informed me. “I don’t let people put me in a box.”

After high school he plans to attend a college in Georgia to major in film making and business. He doesn't plan to remain in one particular area, but dabble in it all. We can learn a lot from Aidan. Mainly, that just because you are still considered a kid that doesn't mean you can’t accomplish your dreams. Find what makes you happy and strive to make that dream come true.

By: Kali C.

Students in Mrs. Certain's Art Appreciation courses developed Surrealist pieces. Phillip H., one of our talented contributors, embraced this assignment and included representations of anxiety in his work below. “This piece to me represents the threats of social anxiety and how it manifests itself among many and makes them believe that they’re constantly being watched or negatively judged. While this form of thinking is very hard to get rid of, it’s critical that we are always self aware of our fears and recognize that they aren’t our reality.”

On October 20, 1964, a world changer was born. Kamala Harris started in 1990 when she joined the Alameda County District Attorney's Office in California where she helped prosecute. Vice President Harris got elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. While she was in office she created a program for first-time drug offenders to be able to earn a high school degree, and to be able to find employment. In 2010, Kamala got elected as California's Attorney General, later going on to win a seat in the United States Senate. Harris gave her first speech to the Senate in 2017, where she spoke on behalf of immigrants who were under attack. Her bipartisan anti-lynching bill got passed in 2018. On August 11, 2020 Kamala Harris joined Joe Biden and became his running mate, eventually winning office. She is the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to be elected Vice President. Kamala Harris may be the first but she does not want to be the last.

By: Ellie M.

Serena Williams is a lot of things to a ton of different people, but to me she is a HERO. Her athleticism and determination are the most heroic things about her. And those things stick out the most to me . . . because I’m an athlete and it takes a lot of determination to get to where I want to be. And she has showed me that if she can do it: so can I. For her paving the way for us young ladies, I thank her for all she has done in history.

Serena, you will always be my hero.

By: Savannah S.

Students in Mr. Cullum's African American History classes learned about the Harlem Renaissance, a transformative time in American history when Black people were able to express themselves more freely. Culture is diversity because culture is our identity - students embraced this idea by reading Georgia Douglas Johnson poetry and then writing their own messages to the world. Enjoy some of their fantastic work below!

The news of deep despair has overcome me.

As I look for one person to stare, but all are around me.

The earth shattered to pieces as I couldn't

Find those eyes.

To fight the urge, I tried, but out came a cry.

I then would want to begin

After an unthinkable end.

But silence would overcome me

And I'd drop down to my knees again.

By: Anyla M.

I know it hurts, I know it stings

But move forward like we have wings

Even if you cannot forget

We have to live with so much

So please if you were wrong

Go and leave them at dawn

They won't break your heart because

By then you'll be long gone

By: Stevie W.

"Self love is very important especially in teenage years. It can be hard trying to find and love yourself when it may feel like no one around you loves you. But in order to love others you must love yourself. Life is difficult and considering our age range lots of things develop physically and mentally. You may lose or gain friends and loved ones but when you have self love you will be there for YOU. "

By: Nakiyah T.

Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected president of South Africa and is widely known for being a revolutionary in the anti-apartheid movement. The movement was against the apartheid system in South Africa where racial segregation had been institutionalized. Nelson was a member of the African National Congress and guided its youth wing. Mandela was eventually sentenced to serve 27 years in prison for his involvement in said movement.

After being released from prison, Mandela worked closely with President F. W. de Klerk to negotiate an end to the apartheid system. He won the multi-racial democratic election that followed, and both he and president de Klerk later jointly received a Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. He also helped to found the first all-Black law firm in South Africa. He founded the Nelson Mandela Children’s fund that goes to orphans, especially individuals impacted by the AIDS crisis. In short, Mandela devoted his life to equality and can certainly be used as a legendary example to inspire anyone and everyone facing oppression in some form or another.

By: Zion K.

Savitribai Phule was born an ambitious young lady and would soon strive to change the pre-established sexist beliefs. When she was only nine years old, she got married to escape an abusive life and continued her mission. She felt strongly that education was freedom from the “shackles of socially-constructed discriminatory practices.” Fueling this credence, she and her husband, Jyotirao Phule, built a school for young girls. In 1864, she became the first female teacher in India and was recognized by the British government in 1852 as the best teacher in the state. Jyotirao and herself motivated children to attend school and created their own curriculums to teach.

Savitribai was also a leader in women empowerment. She encouraged and fought strongly against the inequitable ways. She built a shelter for widows and created a pioneering institution that grappled with equality in the classrooms. Not stopping there, she and her husband adopted a boy and established the practice of Satyashodhak Marriage.

Unfortunately, in 1890, her supportive husband passed away and, defying all social norms, she lit his funeral pyre herself. When the bubonic plague hit the civilizations hard, she opened her own clinic for victims; however, she contracted the disease herself and died on March 10, 1897.

Her life’s work is still an inspiration for women’s rights activists to this day. It’s a testament to social reform and female empowerment in Indian society.

By: Gracie G.

Born on February 17th, 1942 - Huey Pierce Newton, named after the former popular leader of Louisiana Huey Pierce Long Jr., was born in Monroe, Louisiana. Huey's parents soon moved to Oakland in California to avoid the avid and very prevalent lynchings and aggression targeted against African-Americans in their county. Huey, in his youth, had a sense of dread and resentment towards his blackness. Like many other young black boys and girls, Huey's spirit and want to learn was destroyed. As a result of this, he came out of high school illiterate and unable to read.

Huey enrolled into Merritt Community college where he became invigorated to learn to read and did so through Plato's Republic. Huey Newton also became interested in local black politics and soon met Bobby Seale. These two men shared many similar views and organized what was to become the Black Panther Party. Though the early iteration focused more on militancy, later BPP groups worked with black communities through various programs that consisted of things such as free breakfast for school children, testing for Sickle Cell Anemia (which is much more prevalent in black communities and can lead to later health complications), along with legal aid and help in adult education.

By: Silas V.

Bayard Rustin, was born March 17, 1912 in Chester, PA. He was an African American leader who participated in fights for civil rights, nonviolence, and others. He was also an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They both were main organizers of the March on Washington in 1963.

Rustin was always known for having a very strong personality; Bayard got his will to fight for African American rights from his grandmother. Even as a young man, Rustin fought for many causes: racial equality, gay rights, and workers' rights. Because of Bayard’s sexuality, this resulted in him taking a less public role, but he was still hugely influential to Martin Luther King, and he was the main organizer of King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference that took place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Before Bayard and Martin teamed up in 1956, Rustin was more than a civil rights activist. In New York, he was a professional singer as well. Rustin would perform at the Café Society nightclub in Greenwich Village, meeting many people who were very useful contacts in his work as an activist. Unfortunately, Bayard Rustin died August, 24 1987. Throughout his life, Bayard Rustin fought for his people: African Americans who wouldn't have the rights we have today if it wasn't for people like him.

By: Paul H.

Bessie Coleman was born on January 26th, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas. She had a large family that would be important to her throughout her life. Her mother was African American and her father was Native American and African American.

While growing up, Bessie helped her mother work to earn money for herself and the family. By the time she turned 18, she had saved up enough money to attend the Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma. She only attended one semester of college and then dropped out because she could not afford to attend. At age 23, Bessie moved to Chicago with her brothers where she went to the Burnham School of Beauty Culture in 1915 and later became a manicurist. Bessie Coleman was destined for bigger things, however, having taken an interest in aviation.

Bessie's brother John made fun of her because French women were allowed to learn how to fly airplanes. That made her want to fly even more. She became the first African American and Native American woman to gain a pilot's license. She died two years later in a plane crash, but her story remains as an example of what someone can do to be a hero.

By: Ryan L.