Today, Kenny Florian came to the Bartlett School for Community Partnership in Lowell, Massachusetts. I am finishing my practicum there and when I mentioned to Joe that Kenny would make a huge impact on the kids there, he called Kenny and Kenny graciously agreed. The kids at this school face what often appear to be insurmountable obstacles on a daily basis.
This morning, they heard from Kenny that there are no such things as obstacles, only "small hurdles." Small hurdles in this school community include saying no to drugs, to alcohol, to joining gangs, to dropping out of school. Today, even the kids who are seemingly jaded and "checked out" hooted and cheered after Kenny had finished his speech. He talked about making the right choices, of staying out of street fights-"only cowards fight in the street,"-the importance of never giving up, and of staying in school.
Today, Kenny Florian gave 200 at-risk kids a day they will never forget. And it's something we should all keep in mind when we're asked to make a difference.
Stacia
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