With Great Power: How Spider-Man Taught Me the Meaning of Responsibility by Carlee

With Great Power: How Spider-Man Taught Me the Meaning of Responsibility by Carlee - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

Carlee Birchfield
October 8, 2025
Essay contest

 I never thought a teenage boy in a red suit could teach me how to be strong—but Spider-Man did. When I was younger, I liked him because he could swing between buildings, fight villains, and always had a clever joke. At the time, I thought that was what made him a superhero—his powers. But as I grew older and started facing more challenges in my own life, I began to understand that Peter Parker, the person behind the mask, had something much more powerful than webs or super strength. He had heart, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility. And through his story, I learned lessons that I still carry with me today.
  The most famous quote from Spider-Man is: “With great power comes great responsibility.” When I was younger, it sounded cool, but I didn’t really understand what it meant. Now, it’s one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned. In the movies and comics, Peter Parker gets his powers and tries to use them for fun or personal gain. But after losing his Uncle Ben—because of a choice he made—he realizes that his actions have consequences. From that moment on, he chooses to use his powers to help others, even when it costs him something.
  That idea really stuck with me. I don’t have superpowers, but I’ve come to understand that we all have some kind of power. For me, it’s the ability to help my family, work hard in school, and be there for people who need someone to lean on. I’m the oldest of three kids, and with my parents working long hours, I’ve taken on a lot of responsibility at home. From helping my siblings with homework to cooking dinner or making sure the house is clean, I’ve learned what it means to be someone others rely on. Sometimes it’s hard, and I feel overwhelmed. But then I remember how Spider-Man keeps showing up, no matter how tired he is, and I try to do the same.
  Another big lesson I’ve learned from Spider-Man is resilience. In every version of his story, Peter Parker experiences pain, loss, and failure. He loses loved ones. He struggles to keep his personal life and hero life in balance. He even gets blamed for things that aren’t his fault. But through it all, he keeps going. He doesn’t quit. That kind of strength really inspires me, especially when I’ve gone through difficult times.
  There have been moments when I felt like giving up—when school felt too hard, or when life at home became stressful. There were times when it felt like no one noticed how much I was trying, or how tired I was. But then I would think about Spider-Man—how he faces impossible situations and still finds the courage to keep moving forward—and I would remind myself that I could do it too. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be worth it.
  I also admire how Spider-Man always tries to do the right thing, even when it’s not popular or easy. He doesn’t help people because he wants attention. In fact, most of the time, people don’t even know he’s the one who saved them. That taught me a lot about character—about doing the right thing when no one is watching. I’ve tried to follow that lesson in my own life. Whether it’s sticking up for a classmate who’s being treated unfairly, or quietly helping someone who’s having a hard day, I try to act with kindness and integrity, not because I want praise, but because it’s the right thing to do.
  One of the biggest things Spider-Man has taught me is that being a hero doesn’t mean being perfect. Peter Parker messes up a lot. He makes mistakes. He doubts himself. But he keeps learning, and he keeps trying. That lesson has helped me be kinder to myself. I’ve learned that it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to fail sometimes—as long as I keep going and keep trying to grow.
  When I think about my future—going to college, building a career, giving back to my community—I carry these lessons with me. I want to live with the kind of responsibility, resilience, and compassion that Spider-Man shows every day. I want to work hard, not just for myself, but so I can be a support system for others. I want to keep learning, even when things get tough, and keep moving forward no matter what life throws at me.
  This scholarship would help me take the next step toward that future. It would give me the chance to continue my education and open new doors, not just for me, but for my family and community. I may not wear a mask or have super strength, but thanks to Spider-Man, I’ve learned that real strength comes from doing what’s right, even when it’s hard—and that’s the kind of person I’m working every day to become.