Matching 50 Star Wars characters with each of the 50 states
By Kara Hedash
28. Kylo Ren – South Dakota
South Dakota is the home of Mount Rushmore, known as the “Shrine of Democracy.” The sculpture carved into the granite feature 60-foot heads of four presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The presidents were chosen for what they represent to the country as millions of people visit the site yearly. Visitors look up to these historical figures, figuratively and literally.
Kylo Ren is no stranger when it comes to looking up to historical figures in his galaxy’s history. With Skywalker in his blood, Kylo (then Ben) was a promising student to his Jedi Master and uncle, Luke. His family history surrounds both Jedi and Sith, but he was eventually pulled to the dark side. He looked up to Supreme Leader Snoke and what his grandfather, Darth Vadar, accomplished in the galaxy.
After being in the shadows of these other figures within the galaxy, Kylo Ren decides that he wants to forge his own path. Kylo embraces the dark side, but is still pulled to the light side. Wanting to still rule the galaxy like those he knew before him, he vows to destroy both the Jedi and the Sith to create a new path. Kylo’s story will still continue in Episode IX as he tries to make a memorable change in his legacy.