Mattie+Stepanek

== = = **Mattie Stepanek (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004) ** **Report By: Mimi N'Diaye **

Mattie Stepanek, born July 17, 1990, was an American poet, but a very young one. He started writing poetry at 3, to cope with his older brothers death. His brother died because he had a rare disease of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial, a disease that the whole family had, including his mother, who had the adult form. His first 5 books, //Heartsongs//, //Journey Through Heartsongs//, //Hope Through Heartsongs//, //Celebrate Through Heartsongs// and //Loving Through Heartsongs// all made the New York Times bestsellers list.One book//, Just Peace// was awarded the IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards). In the year 2002, Mattie became the Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador. Mattie also made many appearances on known TV shows throughout America. He appeared on the//Oprah Winfrey Show//, //Larry King Live//, and //Good Morning America//. Also, in 2003, Billy Gilman, an American country star, made a album called//Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek//. The album made number 15 on the US top country chart, and number 109 on the US billboard 200.

Sadly, Maddie Stepanek died on June 22, 2004, and had a huge funeral, with Oprah Winfrey, Billy Gilman, and Jimmy Carter, who even did a eulogy.

While Mattie is no longer on this earth, his legend lives on. For example, the people of King Farm neighborhood, in Rockville, Maryland started a voulenteer run, non profit orginization, called the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation. The goal of the foundation is for teachers to help students of all ages understand Mattie's book, //Heartsongs//. Also, in Rockville, a 26-acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek park was dedicated, and thousands of people were there.

Although his life was short, he touched the world more than most do in a lifetime.



**A NEW HOPE ** **BY MATTIE STEPANEK ** I need a hope.a new hope.  A hope that reaches for the stars, and  That does not end in violence or war.  A hope that make peace on our earth, and  That does not create evil in the world.  A hope that finds cures for all diseases, and  That does not make people hurt, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> In their bodies, in their hearts <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> Or most of all, in their spirits. <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> I need a hope.a new hope, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> A hope that inspires me to live, and <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> To make all these things happen, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> So that the whole world can have <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.5pt; margin-top: 0in;"> A new hope, too.

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">ON BEING A CHAMPION ** **<span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">BY MATTIE STEPANEK **

<span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> A Champion is a winner, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> A hero... <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> Someone who never gives up <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> Even when the going gets rough. <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> A champion is a member of <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> A winning team... <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> Someone who overcomes challenges <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> Even when it requires creative solutions. <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> A champion is an optimist, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> A hopeful spirit... <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> Someone who plays the game, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> Even when the game is called life. <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> There can be a champion in each of us, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> If we live as a winner, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> If we live as a member of the team, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> If we live with a hopeful spirit, <span style="color: black; font-family: Gisha,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"> For Life.

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