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Vote For 'Most Inspiring' Hero Of The Year

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

Mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: November 22, 2008

In these dark and gloomy times, it's easy to get discouraged by the tsunami of bad news.

So along comes Beliefnet.com, an online community for inspiration and multi-faith spirituality, with its annual award honoring a hero (or heroes) among us.

And you can play a role in choosing the cream of the crop.

Online voting for the eighth annual The Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award is under way through Dec. 5. The 10 nominees - selected by Beliefnet's staff after getting input from visitors to the site - demonstrate "courage, forgiveness, self-sacrifice or love under difficult and challenging circumstances."

"More than ever, we need hopeful figures and role models," says Laurie Sue Brockway, Beliefnet's family and inspiration editor. "People are being challenged in every single way of their lives these days. We're recognizing those who rise above it all and see the bigger picture."

Cast your vote up to once a day at beliefnet.com for the person whose actions you find most inspiring. Every day of the voting period, a different nominee will be featured, along with a gallery of photos and background information on all the finalists.

As always, the choice is difficult. Each of the candidates comes with a noteworthy story of selflessness and sacrifice. They include:

•Heroic Boy Scouts - Dozens of Nebraska and Iowa Boy Scouts attending a weeklong leadership training session rallied into action without missing a beat when a devastating tornado ripped through their remote western Iowa campsite. They overcame fear and panic to rescue their friends and community members and assist the injured.

•Paul Newman - Academy Award winner and generous humanitarian whose Hole in the Wall Gang Camps for seriously ill children give hundreds of youths a chance to laugh, play and enjoy the fresh air.

•Randy Pausch - Hugely popular professor who recently died after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. He showed the importance of living each day well - even when facing death - and of never giving up on your dreams. His "Last Lecture" book and video became an inspiration to people all over the world.

•Master Sgt. William "Spanky" Gibson - After doctors amputated his leg above the knee as a result of a combat injury, this Marine from Oklahoma returned to Iraq.

•Halima Bashir - In a memoir, this Sudanese doctor told of being brutally punished for treating the injured and for speaking out on behalf of young girls being assaulted by government soldiers in Darfur.

•Jill Bolte Taylor - Scientist who spent her life studying the human brain awoke to discover that she was having a massive stroke herself. As her own brain deteriorated, she reached a profound level of spirituality that eventually inspired her to change her course in life.

•Christina Applegate - Well-known actress became a passionate crusader for breast cancer awareness after her mother was diagnosed with the disease. She also was diagnosed with it, and now is championing the cause as a survivor.

•Dara Torres - The 41-year-old swimmer won three silver medals at the Beijing Olympics this summer, but many considered her most inspiring moment when she stopped seconds before a race in order to help a competitor.

•Darin Headrick - After 10 people died and 95 percent of tiny Greensburg, Kan., was destroyed by a tornado, this superintendent of schools spearheaded efforts to get the system back up and running. In the process, he implemented "environmentally friendly" facilities.

•Steven Curtis Chapman - When his young daughter was accidentally run over and killed by his teenage son, this Christian award-winning musician sustained his family's faith and spirit. He's also a tireless advocate for underprivileged children and Christian relief.

The award is sponsored by Liberty Mutual's The Responsibility Project. For more information, go to www.responsibilityproject.com.

Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613.

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