DC's Guardian: Head of the Class

DC's Guardian talks to a class at Helix High School

Note: DC's Guardian is the star spangled superhero of Washington, DC who spends at least part of the year in Southern California. He was recently invited to spend a day talking to students of Helix High School in La Mesa, California. DC recalled the day at my request in a detailed e-mail, which I have excerpted from below. Here is DC's account of his day:

"An English teacher from Helix High School had on her course calendar- of all things- the study of comic books and their influence on reading and personal character development. Doing some research the teacher had come across Peter Tangen's Real Life Superhero Project. Shortly after that, she had contacted me about the possibility of coming down to talk to her students. Timing is everything, and it worked out I would be in her area. I had originally planned to talk only to her class, but over the course of time other teachers had requested I talk to their classes as well. Given the opportunity to talk about the community at large was something I couldn’t pass up."

"The students, prior to my arrival had spent a few days researching and discussing comic books, RLSH and influences from their own background, prepared themselves with questions and discussion points."

"Waiting in the hallway, I found out my schedule had already changed. I had informed the school prior to my arrival that I would be at their disposal as long as they were willing to have me. I was now scheduled for more classes. They had even arranged to have a conference room available to me for privacy to get a bite to eat. They had really gone above and beyond to look out for me. I can’t thank them enough."

"The students (in each class) greeted me very kindly, and I led into a very short history of myself and then I introduced the people showcased on Peter’s site. I inlcuded a lot of people who are not on the site and I also talked about those we know about around the world. Each class had their favorites (I could usually get a good laugh when I refered to myself as a bum). I did spend a good amount of time talking about others in the community and showing the students the wide variety of causes and techniques."

"I answered what I could, and asked questions about the things I ask the community at large. Things like peer pressure (both good and bad), their personal foundations (those things they firmly believe in). I asked pointed questions about what influences they surround themselves with. I also talked about their responsibilities: to learn, to be apart of their family, their community and nation. How it takes involvement in being a friend, a son or daughter and even a citizen. It was not all rosy, straight talk about good and bad things that happen."

"After school I talked to the Jr. ROTC program. I talked at length to the questions they posed, it was a no bars hold (as were all the classes) question and answer session about leadership, responsibility and duty."

"All in all, I spent about 10 hours at Helix, with a quick break for a bite to eat. I was honored to be asked there and I would return in a heartbeat if asked again. It gave me much more than I think I gave them."

DC also tells me one of the things he discussed with the classes is Heroes in the Night- thanks, DC, and welcome to any readers from Helix High!

DC's Guardian poses with the Jr. ROTC program at Helix High