“The Year of Sue” ended in May when The Middle’s unlucky but indefatigable character graduated from high school. A new season, a new haircut and a new college life debuts this week for Sue Heck. And that means it’s a new season for nominating the atypical heroes in your life.

Everyone at Trophy Central is thrilled that our Random Acts of Trophy-ness campaign has put trophies in the hands – and smiles on the faces – of people whose spirits inspire us to push past adversity and celebrate tiny victories.

As much as we enjoy providing trophies to star athletes, gifted performers and outstanding employees, we take special joy in giving trophies to ordinary people whose mere presence makes the world a more hopeful place in which to live.

Show Us Your Sue!

And we can’t wait to give more trophies away. But we need your input! Please help us spread some trophy love by nominating the unlikely heroes in your life. Not a fan of The Middle or uncertain about what makes a person worthy of a Show Us Your Sue award?

Here are some ideas to get you started. People we deem trophy-worthy include:

• The classmate who…protected an unpopular kid from bullies… always packed an extra apple or sandwich to share with someone who forgot to bring his lunch…organized a pet rescue project at your school…had more reason to complain than anyone but never did.
• The teacher who…encouraged you to follow your dreams…visited you in the hospital…made boring subjects fun…walked through a snowstorm to mail a college letter of recommendation for you…rescued you from an abusive relationship…listened to your personal problems without judgment… attended your wedding 10 years after graduation.
• The employee who…stays late on winter nights to make sure no one is stranded because of a dead battery…cheerfully volunteers for thankless assignments…remembers everyone’s birthday…who brings donuts to work every Friday plus a fruit plate for dieters…who treats interns with as much respect as vice-presidents…who brings a smile to work every day.
• The boss who…collected donations for a worker’s needy family and added his weekly paycheck to the fund…who gave you the day off when your dog was sick…who mentored you for a job that paid more than his own…who motivated you with encouragement…who made you want to come to work on Monday.

Spread Kindness

Ultimately, Trophy Central’s Random Acts of Trophy-ness campaign is all about recognizing people’s winning spirits and actions. And although we can spread kindness in many ways, we believe that a trophy makes an unsung hero feel like, well, a sung hero.

Please join the chorus! Nominate someone for a Random Act of Trophy-ness in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter using #ShowUsYourSue. Please include the person’s full name and tell us the story behind your nomination. Nominate as many people as you like – for as many reasons as you want.

And what the (Sue) heck? Nominate yourself if you want to. Just tell us why and make us smile. Because, as we say at Trophy Central, it’s the smile that matters!