Virtues - The Heroes Club



Commitment		Commitment is devoting oneself to another person or to a special purpose.

Context		I can see your commitment to our team in the way you play.
Action		*How can you show you are devoted to others who are very special in your life?*
Hero example		Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan
Additional definitions		1. the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself. 2. a pledge or promise; obligation 3. engagement; involvement


Compassion		Compassion is supporting a person in need of help.

Context		I feel a lot of compassion for people without a home.
Action		*What are some ways you can support a person who needs your help?*
Hero example		Clara Barton
Additional definitions		1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering 2. the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others


Confidence		Confidence is believing "I can do that."

Context		It took a lot of confidence to give that speech.
Action		*How can you show you have a "can do" attitude when you start a new task?*
Hero example		Elizabeth Blackwell
Additional definitions		1. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing 2. belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance 3. certitude; assurance


Cooperation		Cooperation is working together to reach a common goal.

Context		It takes cooperation for two children to share one toy.
Action		*In what ways can you work with classmates to make your school a better place to learn for all students?*
Hero example		Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey
Additional definitions		1. an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit; joint action 2. more or less active assistance from a person, organization, etc.


Courage		Courage is being brave even though you may be scared.

Context		It takes courage to do what you are afraid of.
Action		*In what ways can you be brave even when you are scared?*
Hero example		Rosa Parks
Additional definitions		1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery 2. to act in accordance with one's beliefs, esp. in spite of criticism


Creativity		Creativity is imagining and sharing new ideas.

Context		You show your creativity when you do art projects.
Action		*What are some ways you can share your new ideas with others?*
Hero example		Walt Disney
Additional definitions		1. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination


Curiosity		Curiosity is being interested in learning new ideas and information.

Context		My cat shows a lot of curiosity; she looks at everything.
Action		*In what ways can you try to learn new things everyday as you go about your daily routine?*
Hero example		Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea
Additional definitions		1. the desire to learn or know about anything; inquisitiveness 2. eagerness to learn


Determination		Determination is having an "I will get that done" attitude.

Context		I used my determination to get it done.
Action		*How did you finish a job even though you were getting frustrated and not being very successful at your first tries?*
Hero example		Thomas Edison
Additional definitions		1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose 2. the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose 3. a fixed purpose or intention


Foresight		Foresight is looking to the future and planning what you can do to improve things.

Context		It was good foresight that helped mom avoid the accident.
Action		*What actions can you take now to reach goals you have for yourself in the future?*
Hero example		John Muir
Additional definitions		1. care or provision for the future; provident care; prudence 2. an act of looking forward


Friendship		Friendship is caring about others and being nice to them.

Context		Your friendship is important to me; we have fun.
Action		*What nice things do you do that make you a good friend?*
Hero example		Jane Addams
Additional definitions		1. the state of being a friend; association as friends 2. friendly feeling or disposition 3. friend = a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard


Generosity		Generosity is giving to others.

Context		Giving us those gifts was a nice act of generosity.
Action		*What can you give to friends, family members, or other people who need help?*
Hero example		Milton Hershey
Additional definitions		1. readiness or liberality in giving 2. freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character


Helpfulness		Helpfulness is assisting others by doing something useful for them.

Context		I like it when mom thanks me for my helpfulness with the chores.
Action		*What can you do to assist someone in a way that really helps?*
Hero example		Roberto Clemente
Additional definitions		1. giving or rendering aid or assistance; of service 2. riendliness evidence by a kindly and helpful disposition


Honesty		Honesty is always telling the truth, even when it is difficult to do.

Context		I choose honesty; I will not lie.
Action		*When should you tell the truth even if you don't want to?*
Hero example		Abraham Lincoln
Additional definitions		1. the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness 2. truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness 3. freedom from deceit or fraud


Humility		Humility is not bragging about your success.

Context		The athlete who shares the awards shows humility rather than taking it all for himself.
Action		*What could you say to someone who praises you for doing a good job?*
Hero example		Jonas Salk
Additional definitions		1. the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc. 2. a lack of false pride


Integrity		Integrity is doing the "right" thing even when no one is watching you.

Context		You show a lot of integrity when you do what you say you are going to do.
Action		*How do you behave at home or at school when no adult is there to watch you?*
Hero example		Harry S Truman
Additional definitions		1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty


Kindness		Kindness is doing good deeds for others.

Context		We can treat people who are in need with kindness; it helps them feel better.
Action		*What good deeds can you do for an older relative or neighbor?*
Hero example		Eleanor Roosevelt
Additional definitions		1. the state or quality of being kind (of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person) 2. friendly feeling; liking 3. the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic


Love		Love is knowing and showing others they are special.

Context		I love my family and friends.
Action		*In what ways can you show your love for the people in your life?*
Hero example		Mary McLeod Bethune
Additional definitions		1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person 2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend 3. affectionate concern for the well-being of others


Loyalty		Loyalty is being devoted to people, your country, or a cause you believe in strongly.

Context		An important part of being a good citizen is loyalty to your country.
Action		*In what ways can you show you are devoted to a cause you support?*
Hero example		George C. Marshall
Additional definitions		1. the state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations 2. faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader, cause, etc.


Patience		Patience is waiting for something important you want, no matter how long it takes.

Context		Sometimes I need a lot of patience when I wait in line.
Action		*When you really want something, how can you show people you don't mind waiting for it?*
Hero example		Susan B. Anthony
Additional definitions		1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like 2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay


Perseverance		Perseverance is not giving up, no matter what happens.

Context		It took perseverance to keep finish that big puzzle.
Action		*What can you say to convince yourself to keep going when you feel like giving up?*
Hero example		Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta
Additional definitions		1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement


Reliability		Reliability is being dependable when others count on you.

Context		I want the one that I can count on for a long time; I want reliability.
Action		*How do others know that they can count on you to do the things that you say you will do?*
Hero example		Harriet Tubman
Additional definitions		1. quality of that may be relied on; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc.


Responsibility		Responsibility is making sure you do what is assigned to you.

Context		I take full responsibility for this job; I will make sure it is done.
Action		*What are some ways you use to get all your tasks done at home and at school?*
Hero example		George Washington
Additional definitions		1. the state or fact of being answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management 2. reliability or dependability, esp. in meeting debts or payments


Service		Service is using your talents to benefit others without expecting something in return.

Context		We did a service project to help the people in our neighborhood.
Action		*How can you use your talents to serve your home, school, and community?*
Hero example		Benjamin Franklin
Additional definitions		1. an act of helpful activity; help; aid 2. the performance of duties or the duties 3. the serving of a sovereign, state, or government in some official capacity


Steadfastness		Steadfastness is not changing your mind even when people disagree with you.

Context		It takes steadfastness to always be there when we need you.
Action		*What actions could you take to show you will "stand firm" for ideas you believe are correct?*
Hero example		Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Additional definitions		1. fixed in direction; steadily directed 2. firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person 3. unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.


Wonder		Wonder is being amazed, and so amazed that you ask questions to learn.

Context		I wonder how that works.
Action		*What is something that amazes you, what questions do you have about it, and where could you go to find the answers?*
Hero example		Albert Einstein
Additional definitions		1. to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel 2. to think or speculate curiously 3. the emotion excited by what is strange and surprising; a feeling of surprised or puzzled interest, sometimes tinged with admiration

Note: this list of virtues is not intended to be a complete list of all possible virtues - there are many more to explore and consider. To see an extended list of more virtues, click here.
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