Aaron Ballin

* 11-20th HG
* 4th HG

27 (The Old Victor's Summoning and June Naysmith's victory)

• Mr. and Mrs. Ballin (parents)

• Evander Ballin (twin brother)

• Calista Ballin (younger sister)

• Coach (after his victory)

• Mentor

**Aaron Ballin** is a Hunger Games Victor, winning the 4th Annual Hunger Games at the age of 18. As a citizen from District 2, Aaron was well-fed and strong, which helped him in his games. Aaron was also very confident and skilled in combat, having advantage over the other tributes. He was the very first victor from District 2 in the history of the Games.

## Early life

Aaron came from a united and supportive family, living in a cosy house near the mountains with his parents, twin brother and younger sister. As Loyalists, they always supported the Capitol, even if it meant accepting the Hunger Games, watching carefully every year. Since the first year of the games, Aaron started to train himself in combat alongside his brother, in case of either of them getting reaped.

Before his victory, he worked as a miner together with his brother and father, which granted him strength and resistance, both crucial factors that helped him win the Hunger Games.

## 4th Annual Hunger Games

Aaron had his worst nightmare come to life when he got reaped to participate in the 4th Annual Hunger Games at the age of 18. That year was marked by being the first year in which all the tributes arrived at the Capitol Arena alive. As no live audience was allowed in the arena anymore, this opened up more space for the tributes to use, allowing the ones with minimal climbing skills to climb up the stands surrounding the stadium. These two factors made that year a bit less predictable, even with Aaron's preparation.

Aaron fought bravely against the other tributes, killing 5 of them with his sword. Even with the higher than usual competition, no other tribute seemed to have great skills at combat, which also contributed to his to victory.

During his Games, Aaron was responsible for the deaths of the following tributes:

* District 12's male tribute
* District 3's male tribute
* District 12's female tribute
* District 1's female tribute
* District 9's male tribute

## Life after the Games

Aaron was received back in District 2 with great ovation. As a district hero, he became famous and very popular between the Loyalists. Even with the trauma, he found a way to survive when the richest from his district would seek his guidance and knowledge to train their children in case they were to be reaped.

His first successful moment as a coach was District 2's second victory, when Vibia Jardine won the 7th Annual Hunger Games. After that, both victors worked together as a team to train the children of the rich. That was the beginning of the Career Agenda in District 2.

Three years after his victory, he married Siedra Gurr, a girl who used to be his pupil. Four years later, they had their first child - Matt Ballin.

## "The Encyclopedia"

As a coach, Aaron studies every year of the Hunger Games, taking notes to better train his pupils, which granted him the nickname of "The Encyclopedia". Here are some of his main notes for every year so far:

* 1st Annual Hunger Games - *it's kill or be killed - The Capitol does not care about the weak*
* 2nd Annual Hunger Games - *you can die by any means, not just by the weapons*
* 3rd Annual Hunger Games - *the games start even before the arena - stay aware*
* 4th Annual Hunger Games - *the games are horrible and everyone is afraid - they are not trained for combat*
* 5th Annual Hunger Games - *don't believe anyone - hell is paved with good intentions*
* 6th Annual Hunger Games - *the strongest will rule - and we must find a way to defeat them*
* 7th Annual Hunger Games - *you must think fast - the answer could be in the unthinkable*
* 8th Annual Hunger Games - *be aware of your body condition - don't waste your energy too early*
* 9th Annual Hunger Games - *unity is strength - don't kill your district partner or you'll be waif*
* 10th Annual Hunger Games - *it's THEIR game - they make the rules, learn to accept that*
* 11th Annual Hunger Games - *it's not just about fighting - must adapt and survive the environment*
* 12th Annual Hunger Games - *the one emerging victorious could be anyone - don't underestimate someone's will to survive*

## Etymology

Aaron is a boy's name of Hebrew origin, meaning “mountain of strength, exalted, strong.” Aaron has a steadfast and enduring quality, inspiring stability and strength even in the darkest of times.

## Trivia

* Aaron Ballin was the first victor from District 2.
* Aaron and his fellow victor Vibia Jardine were the ones to start the Career Agenda in their district.
* Aaron was the first victor-mentor to bring a victor home with June Naysmith in the 13th Annual Hunger Games.