Yes Ellen is a hero because Ellen Ochoa is helping other kids. In the story Ellen Ochoa's mother told her to reach for the stars at first Ellen Ochoa did not know what that was but she did reach for the stars. The author is happy at Ellen Ochoa because she did not let any one hinder her. This reminds me of when I was in 2nd grade this girls came up to me and said well nobody is really good at math but I did not let any of the girls hider me.