Heroic Second Grader Leads China’s Olympic Team in Opening Ceremonies

Early Ed Watch is quite taken with little Lin Hao, the 9-year-old earthquake victim who walked alongside Chinese basketball star Yao Ming at the head of China’s Olympic team in Friday night’s opening ceremonies.

Lin Hao was a second grader at Yuzixi Primary School in Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County, this May when a massive earthquake struck Wenchuan County and Sichaun Province, where it’s located, causing Hao’s school to collapse, burying him and his classmates in the rubble. While trapped in the rubble, Hao helped encourage his classmates and keep them calm by singing songs and encouraging them to sing with him. After freeing himself from the rubble, little Hao went back to help free two other classmates, despite being injured himself. Hao’s appearance was one of the most touching moments of the opening ceremonies.

The Sichuan earthquake was a terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 69,000 individuals, including many children trapped in collapsed schools. Hao’s bravery illustrates that, even at times of great tragedy, individual acts of courage and selflessness can make a difference and inspire people around the world. Hao’s example also provides young children a rare role model their own age, who they can relate to and who shows them that, depsite their age, their actions can still help others and make a difference. Early educators could use this story to teach children about helping others, showing courage, the Olympics, or the Chinese earthquake.

On a related note, folks interested in the Olympics should check out opening ceremonies pictures from TFA-er Tim Morehouse, an American Olympian, over at eduwonk, as well as basketball coverage on Matthew Yglesias’ new blog.