Thug to Hero

Author's Note: The journey from a thug to a hero is not something to think easy of. It takes much work determination and the assistance of friends. 

You push open the wooden door leading into the brightly lit cafeteria. As soon as you step into the room two hundred  pairs of eyeballs shoot toward you. A shockwave of applause thunders throughout the room as people clap and cheer for you. You are a savior, a leader, a hero. As you stand there,  basking in glory, you realize how you were not always a hero. How you could barely find scraps of food while living on the streets. How you committed terrible deeds and how one person changed your life forever. This is the story of James Adams. Without the help of two people he would never be recognized as a hero.

Amy was the character that changed James from a thug to a hero. James was living on the streets and relying on shoplifting to supply him with living supplies. Going mad with power he gets careless and gets arrested. James gets sentenced to a military school called CHERUB. His swimming instructor, Amy, inspires him to achieve greater things and get through his life by being a hero. “You are weak, you can’t do it” is a phrase that she often uses to push him to his limit. He gets the support he needed to pass training and uncovers a Russian spy in CHERUB. However, Amy wasn’t the only person that changed James’ life.

Kerry gave James his competitiveness. As his training partner and rival she often seemed to make him want to be the best, not just get through something. She often mocked him and tried to crush him at anything that was the slightest bit competitive. James not only learned how to beat her but gave him an even greater passion to pursue greatness. Thinking about James always seems to bring another character to thought.

Melinda from the book Speak reminds me of James and his change. Melinda starts out as an outcast, a freak, a nobody. But she goes on with life and gets inspired to be a better person and do good things. Getting encouragement from Mr. Freeman to make the most out of life. She earns a triumphant victory over Andy Evans and is known as a hero throughout the whole school.

Considering all the support that came to James certain people helped him to succeed more than others. Without their help he would never be recognized as a hero and the organization CHERUB itself may have even been destroyed.