Inspiring stories of friendship

Every once in a while I hear a story that is incredibly inspiring.  A story that leaves me feeling uplifted and motivated to be a better person.  Last night KSL news in Salt Lake City ran this story about Mack Bawden and Cameron Judd.  In short, Mack and Cameron's story is about friendship, sacrifice, and being human.  It also reminded me of  the story of Leroy Sutton and Dartanyon Crockett that aired on ESPN's Outside the Lines last summer.  It has close parallels to Mack and Cameron's story -- themes of courage, selflessness, overcoming obstacles, and loyalty.

I sometimes wonder why we don't hear stories like these more often.  Do they happen all of the time and we just don't know it because there isn't a camera around?  Or, are they rare exceptions in a world where self-interest and vanity are the norm?

The thought I had today as I watched both of these stories again was what leads someone to become a Mack Bawden or  Dartanyon Crockett?  Was it the influence of their families?  A teacher?  Or, did they just become the sort of heroic people the rest of us aspire but generally fail to become?  And, what role do schools have in developing these sorts of students?