Speaker tells ‘power of respect’
By Tomi Henderson
MARS HILL — Central Aroostook Junior Senior High School set out to make the first day of school a memorable one for the students in grades 6-12. They invited Ed Gerety, a top professional youth speaker for the last 18 years, to spend a day at the school.
Ed Gerety spoke with CAHS student Marissa Anthony on Aug. 16. This exercise showed how to set specific goals for yourself. Gerety advised students such advice as: Don't just say you "want to be a doctor," say you "will attend Boston University on a full scholarship and become a pediatrician by the time you are 28"!
Principal Kevin Grass stated, “The beginning of a school year is the best time to initiate changes in the culture of the school environment.”
The school’s staff started discussing ways to improve the culture of the school a couple of years ago. They have done several surveys with both teachers and students and implemented several new policies. There is a “Web to School” site set up so that parents can keep tabs on grades, homework and other issues. There is also a behavioral matrix set up showing students and staff what is expected of everyone at school — in the classroom, the cafeteria, the lobby, on the bus, in the gymnasium, etc.
The next step in the process is to focus on the students, and bringing in Ed Gerety as a speaker was step one. Thanks go to Erica McCrum with Healthy Aroostook for writing the grant that was instrumental in bringing Gerety to CAHS.
Gerety spoke to an assembly of students from grade 6-12 during the morning, before meeting with a group of youth leaders from the National Honor Society, the Student Council, the TRUST Team, the Future Farmers of America and other clubs. He also met with the school’s staff and teachers for a special session after school and held an hour-long presentation for all parents, youth and community members in the evening.
In “Making Your Mark,” a powerful and high-energy presentation, he shared an important message about the power of respect for yourself and for one another, appreciation for our abilities and the people in our lives, the impact of our choices and decisions, the courage to believe in yourself and the power we have to reach out and make a difference.
“We each have a choice to make in how we react to the things that happen in our lives, especially the things that don’t seem ‘fair’ — we can be negative or positive; a pessimist or optimist. We alone have the power to choose our actions — and it’s never too late to turn over a new leaf,” Gerety said.
Gerety said three things can be done to help us succeed.
“Surrounding ourselves with positive people helps us to stay strong and to be able to step away from any negative people or words. Several positive people together with a common goal can achieve great things,” explained Gerety.
“Surrounding ourselves with positive things will help remind us of our goals and what we are working for. If you want to be an engineer, put up a dream board or poster of the school you plan to attend and be specific when you tell people that you ‘will attend the University of Maine at Orono on a full scholarship and be a structural engineer by the time you are 23,’” continued Gerety.
Another thing Gerety said that we can all do to ensure our success is to be aware of our own physiology or body language.
“First impressions are powerful — so walk like you know where you’re going, even if you don’t! Dress for success and show others a positive attitude. If you plan on achieving your goals, it’s never too early to start working towards them. Show others that you plan on going somewhere with your life, and you’re taking steps every day to achieve that goal,” Gerety said.
He said parents and teachers can help in many ways.
“We need to help our children and students set goals for themselves and figure out what they want to achieve in their lives. We can help them learn how to reach those main goals by discussing mini goals or the steps they need to take, such as studying, reading, making good choices, etc., to reach their desired destination. We need to feed the fire of their dreams and let them know that we are behind them — ready to help if we can, but ultimately they have to take the steps themselves,” said Gerety.
According to Gerety, all people need to know that it’s important to grow with each step they take in their lives.
“Our goals may change from time to time, but if we have a good attitude and are a person of integrity and honor, we will be a success,” Gerety said.
Gerety said we should also be grateful to the people that have helped make a difference in our lives.
“Let them know that we appreciate what they have done. Everyone likes to be appreciated, and it’s an easy thing to do. Just saying ‘thank you,’ even for the little things, can improve someone’s day,” he said.
“Remember that you will be a winner if you live your life with gratitude, responsibility, kindness and passion,” said Gerety.
Ed Gerety led the group in a clap/wave exercise at CAHS on Monday, Aug. 16. When you closed your eyes, it went from sounding like a gentle rain to a pounding downpour.
