Assignment 22 - Katy Estes

(Disclaimer: this is possibly the hardest prompt you have given us all year, Mr. Logsdon, so keep that in mind as I make a very difficult decision here.)

I know this book is "old" compared to other people's choices (really only a few years) but I would still pick Katniss Everdeen (after 20 minutes of contemplating).
No, I do not have a death wish with being thrown into the hunger games twice, and no I do not wish to be unhappy with my life in the end (spoiler, sorry), but I wish to be all the other things that she was.
First of all, Katniss is about the most compassionate character I've come across (granted I don't read very much). Almost all of her thoughts before the games is how is she going to provide for her family? When her father died she stepped up immediately and took responsibility. She loves her sister like she's her own daughter. I wish I could feel that way about my own sister but she drives me crazy. I wish I could feel the kind of duty or responsibility to take care of my family.
She's also beyond courageous. She volunteers as tribute, she kills another person to save Rue (and failed- but still), she does not complain when she gets thrown back into the arena, and she stares President Snow directly in the eyes and stands up for herself. I wish I even had the courage to confront my teachers when they've done something wrong with my grades, let alone my government leaders when they've done something wrong with the nation. She has this poise and self-confidence that I can only wish that I had. She carries herself in a way where she presents herself as intimidating and scary and yet she is still compassionate and loving. I wish I could fight and stand up for myself and do what I have to do just like Katniss does.