What Makes a Living Legend?
A living legend is someone whose actions, character, and impact on the world have made them a source of inspiration in real time—not from the past, but in the present. These are individuals who embody powerful humanistic values such as compassion, courage, integrity, and perseverance. Their influence goes beyond fame; it’s their commitment to making a difference that earns them public respect and admiration. This list of living legends has been created by our Year 9 students, each nomination reflecting a personal connection to universal human values and the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Through their choices, students express not only who inspires them, but who they aspire to become.
Federico Valverde

Why are they famous?
Playing football for the best team on earth
What they say...
"You have to be willing to take risks in order to achieve greatness."
How this inspires me.
It makes me want to take risk
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Risk takers
Amartya Sen

Why are they famous?
He is a artist
What they say...
To not give up one my hopes and to be happy
How this inspires me.
To not give up one my dreams and things that I want to do
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Reflective
Barack Obama

Why are they famous?
Obama signed many landmark bills into law during his first two years in office. The main reforms include the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as "the ACA" or "Obamacare",
What they say...
“The strongest weapon against hateful speech is not repression, it is more speech, the voices of tolerance that rally against bigotry and hate.”
How this inspires me.
Obama’s quote inspires me to speak up for others and stand against unfairness. Even small acts of kindness and courage can help create a more respectful and inclusive world.
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Open-minded
Bisan Owda

Why are they famous?
Bisan Owda gained public recognition through her powerful reporting on the Israel-Gaza war, especially her documentary series It's Bisan from Gaza and I'm Still Alive with Al Jazeera's. Her work earned her major awards like the 2024 Peabody and Emmy and despite challenges, she remained very respected for sharing the real-life struggles of Palestinians in Gaza.
What they say...
"I am not just a journalist. I am a survivor, a witness. And I will keep telling our story until the world listens."
How this inspires me.
Bisan Owda’s story inspires me to be brave, speak the truth, and use my voice to help others. It shows how one person’s story can create real change and reminds me to listen, care and stand up for what’s right.
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Risk takers
Captain Devi Sharma

Why are they famous?
On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines was taking off from Kathmandu, Nepal to New Delhi, India when five armed terrorists seized control of the aircraft. The hijacking resulted in an eight-day hostage crisis that involved several stops across multiple countries, ending in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The captain put the passengers lives before his and obeyed the hijackers to ensure the safety of the passengers on board.
What they say...
"I am the kind of person who never loses hope."
How this inspires me.
He inspires me to never give hope and to make sure that every decision you make is helpful to everyone around you.
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Caring
Charles White Jr.

Why are they famous?
Influencer / Content Creator
What they say...
"Muhammad wasn't speeding he wasn't doing anything wrong" as he is showing sympathy to the driver even though everyone is accusing him and it's not his fault.
How this inspires me.
I now am better and kinder and donate to charity because of him.
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Caring
Chen Yu Xi

Why are they famous?
She won the diving championship through her own efforts, became famous overnight, was regarded as a "diving star", and became a key training target during the Tokyo Olympic cycle.
What they say...
Now that I am involved, I will go ahead and make this thing work, even to the best of my ability. Anything is possible
How this inspires me.
It makes me thinks that I could do anything even if it’s not possible I still can try and work on it, I might get new lessons from it too
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Reflective
Chris Tyson

Why are they famous?
Mr Beast
What they say...
He helps Mr beast in helping the less fortunate like kids in Africa.
How this inspires me.
Because I feel bad for the less fortunate people in the world and I want to do all I can to help.
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Caring
Cristiano Ronaldo

Why are they famous?
Football
What they say...
"Your hate makes me unstoppable"
How this inspires me.
This quote has shown me to do what I believe is right, and it will lead me to my own success.
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Balanced
Dave Grohl

Why are they famous?
He got raised because he was in a band called 'Nirvana'
What they say...
"Always have the highest bar for yourself. Wake up everyday and no matter how crappy you feel, want to change something for the better. Do something that makes someone happy. Create something that inspires someone. Be someone’s light when they are hopeless.”
How this inspires me.
Always have the highest bar for yourself. Wake up everyday and no matter how bad you feel. Do something that makes someone happy. Create something that inspires someone.
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Knowledgeable
David de Gea

Why are they famous?
Footballer
What they say...
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard
How this inspires me.
Always work hard to become the best
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Open-minded
David Goggins

Why are they famous?
Videos on him running for very outstandingly far distances.
What they say...
“I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done.”
How this inspires me.
I'm inspired to act with a principled mindset.
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Principled
Electroboom

Why are they famous?
Learning of electricity and machinery
What they say...
There is no free energy device
How this inspires me.
Just to extend my learning to electricity
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Knowledgeable
Elon Musk

Why are they famous?
His successful career
What they say...
Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough
How this inspires me.
He thinks before doing anything
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Risk takers
Emma Watson

Why are they famous?
She grew up on the set of Harry Potter, shown in all 8 movies known for her role of Hermione Granger. She uses her role now that made her extremely popular to empower women.
What they say...
“I don’t want other people to decided who I am. I want to decide that for myself.”
How this inspires me.
If I ever have a powerful role in society, I won't use it for selfish reasons.
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Communicators
Evie Davis

Why are they famous?
Teacher and netball player.
What they say...
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
How this inspires me.
Always work hard and never think about what other thinks.
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Open-minded
Gabe Newell

Why are they famous?
CEO of one of the best gaming companies out there.
What they say...
"A store is a collection of content."
How this inspires me.
Gabe's company, Valve has always made great and innovated games, that people around the world love and cherish.
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Caring
Hayao Miyazaki

Why are they famous?
Founding Studio Ghibli
What they say...
“Many of my movies have strong female leads – brave, self-sufficient girls that don’t think twice about fighting for what they believe with all their heart. They need a friend, or a supporter, but never a savior. Any woman is just as capable of being a hero as any man.”
How this inspires me.
It reminds me to see everyone, regardless of gender, as capable and worthy of being heard.
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Inquirers
Iu

Why are they famous?
She is going to be famous because she sing the songs very well and act is also good.
What they say...
“I just want to fill the hearts and minds of the people who listen to my music”
How this inspires me.
She has been consistently donating and is also very good at her art work, so I could feel that she really put in a lot of effort.
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Caring
James Hetfield

Why are they famous?
He founded Metallica, a very famous metal band in the early and mid 1980s.
What they say...
“Just like the poles of a magnet, some people are drawn to death and others are repulsed by it, but we all have to deal with it.”
How this inspires me.
James Hetfield inspires me to be a better person because he turned his struggles into strength. Seeing him face addiction and grow through music shows me that change is possible. His honesty, passion, and resilience remind me to stay true to myself and keep pushing forward, no matter what.
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Reflective
Joel Gomes

Why are they famous?
Building small jet engines in his attic
What they say...
"let me tell you that this thing works, really well. when it works because a lot of the time it doesn't"
How this inspires me.
I've been inspired to take risks and persist until success
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Risk takers
Judy Sheindlin

Why are they famous?
Her no-nonsense approach to family court which garnered attention.
What they say...
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to have a good memory."
How this inspires me.
If you tell the truth, you don’t have to have a good memory.
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Knowledgeable
Kat La (Itsfunneh)

Why are they famous?
YouTube
What they say...
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi
How this inspires me.
This inspired me to be more mindful for my community and contribute to help support everyone.
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Caring
Larry Page

Why are they famous?
Creating Google
What they say...
'If your not doing some things crazy, then your doing the wrong things'
How this inspires me.
I try to be more positive about things and never give up.
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Knowledgeable
Lebron James

Why are they famous?
His elite basketball skins and longevity.
What they say...
"I like to think of myself as a student of the game. I’m always learning." - Lebron James
How this inspires me.
The quote inspires you to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement. It reminds me that no matter where I am in life, there's always more room to grow and evolve.
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Inquirers
Lilly King

Why are they famous?
She was raised to public recognition for her 100 and 200m breaststroke swim.
What they say...
thoughtfully considers the world and our ideas and experience.
How this inspires me.
This pushes me in swimming because I want to be good like her.
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Knowledgeable
Mae Carol Jemison

Why are they famous?
Mae Carol Jemison is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. She became the first African-American woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
What they say...
“I like to think of ideas as potential energy. They're really wonderful, but nothing will happen until we risk putting them into action.”
How this inspires me.
She inspires me to have the courage and be bravery to pursue what I love. Things that may seem intimidating or out of reach might not in fact be and the only way to find out is to try.
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Risk takers
Malala Yousafzai

Why are they famous?
Malala became known globally after she was shot by the Taliban in 2012 for speaking out about girls' right to education in Pakistan. Despite the attack, she continued her activism and co-authored the book “I Am Malala.” She became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014, at the age of 17. Malala founded the Malala Fund, which supports girls' education across the world.
What they say...
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world
How this inspires me.
Malala’s courage and determination inspire me to speak up for what I believe in, even if it’s difficult. She reminds me that education is powerful, and I shouldn’t take it for granted. I want to be more confident, stand up for others, and use my voice to help make the world better — just like she does.
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Caring
Markus Persson

Why are they famous?
He developed Minecraft
What they say...
"set your life on fire and see those who fan the flame" -Wendell Phillips
How this inspires me.
he learnt how to code from scratch then he created the most iconic game of all time. he inspires me to learn new things everyday.
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Thinkers
Micheal Phelps

Why are they famous?
He holds 4 world records currently in swimming and has an amount of 28 Olympics medals in swimming and 23 of them are gold
What they say...
“There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work… THERE ARE NO LIMITS.”
How this inspires me.
its not this quote that inspires me ,its the fact that he was so dedicated into putting the hard work into his swimming that he spent 5 years straight training every day non stop and because of this every time
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Risk takers
Michelle Obama

Why are they famous?
She was the first African-American woman to serve as first lady.
What they say...
“Try new things. Don't be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar.”
How this inspires me.
It inspires me to try new things and not stay doing the same thing.
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Risk takers
Mitski (Mitsuki Miyawaki/Laycock)

Why are they famous?
By producing music that relates to a lot of people
What they say...
"When I go onstage and am performing the way I want to... I finally feel like myself."
How this inspires me.
To accept that nothing is perfect in this world
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Caring
Mr Beast

Why are they famous?
His YouTube channel
What they say...
Everyone thinks you're crazy until you're successful!" and "You can only win when your mind is stronger than your emotions.
How this inspires me.
To be kind and make more money
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Caring
Ms Davis

Why are they famous?
She's so cool
What they say...
"hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard"
How this inspires me.
To work hard in and out of school.
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Caring
Nick Vujicic

Why are they famous?
Nick Vujicic is widely recognized as a motivational speaker and author who, even though he was born without limbs, inspires millions with his message of hope and resilience.
What they say...
"It's a lie to think you're not good enough."
How this inspires me.
To believe in myself even though life is tough
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Knowledgeable
Omar Suleimen

Why are they famous?
Omar Suleimen has been raised to public recognition by being a very well known Islamic Scholar.
What they say...
"We can't be patient with how things are going on in life, until we understand that there is control of our life."
How this inspires me.
This inspired me to act differently in my life by being patient and expecting the good.
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Thinkers
Oprah Winfrey

Why are they famous?
Host of The Oprah Winfrey Show
What they say...
"Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment"
How this inspires me.
She makes me have motivations to my daily live.
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Open-minded
Robert Downey Jr.

Why are they famous?
Acting in popular movies
What they say...
Remember that just because you hit bottom, doesn't mean you have to stay there.
How this inspires me.
To try hard at everything I encounter.
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Risk takers
Sir Lewis Hamilton

Why are they famous?
8 time world winning champion in Formula 1 driving
What they say...
I don't aspire to be like other driver, I aspire to be unique in my own way
How this inspires me.
It inspire me to be who am I and be unique in my way instead of trying to be someone else.
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Risk takers
Son Heung-min

Why are they famous?
His achievements and influence on South Korean football leading to significant public recognition and accolades
What they say...
I want to play football until my body says, 'You can't run anymore: you're dead.'
How this inspires me.
To train Football until I get better at the game.
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Open-minded
Stephen Curry

Why are they famous?
He is a very successful basketball player
What they say...
"Success is not an accident, success is actually a choice."
How this inspires me.
It inspires me to keep going and pursue my dreams.
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Risk takers
Stevie Wonder

Why are they famous?
Stevie Wonder's rise to public recognition stemmed from a combination of his exceptional musical talent, prolific output of hit songs, and his commitment to social activism, including his advocacy for civil rights and disability awareness.
What they say...
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
How this inspires me.
Stevie Wonder inspired me to be a good person, do things that matches your conscience. Do thing's you know is right but not the things you think will bring you benefit.
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Risk takers
Technoblade

Why are they famous?
Technoblade rose to public recognition primarily through his YouTube Minecraft content, especially his skilful gameplay
What they say...
If I had another hundred lives, I think I would choose to be Technoblade again every single time. Those were the happiest years of my life."
How this inspires me.
Live with intention, gratitude, and courage
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Knowledgeable
Zendaya

Why are they famous?
Her various roles in popular movies as well as her appearances on Disney as a kid raised her to popularity.
What they say...
"I love hearing educated people speak and just shut everyone up. Knowledge is always the loudest voice."
How this inspires me.
She inspires me to try hard and persevere. She is not only an actress, but also a business woman who is very successful. On top of that, she is kind and a good person. So, because of that, she inspires me.
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Knowledgeable




