The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lorain High seeks to inspire students
Guest speaker, former NBA player offer inspiration
Lorain High School is ensuring its students are taking advantage of the opportunities in front of them.
Early College & Academic Specialist Matt Kielian held an assembly for the school’s TV20 video production students and basketball team to hear from Executive Director of National Partnerships Darrell Wilson and College Basketball Analyst Stephen Bardo.
“I think it’s very important that our students are given opportunities,” said Kielian. “We want them to not only take advantage of what’s offered to them but to create their own, but in order to do that, they must be exposed to it and see what it looks like.
“By bringing these gentlemen in, it gives them a chance to see what success looks like but also hear some of the struggles they’ve had on their journeys.”
The assembly centered around students interested specifically in sports or media crafting their careers using digital platforms and persevering beyond circumstance.
Wilson, a Lorain native, is currently based in California but travels throughout the country to speak with and impact students.
“It feels great to be back here because this is where I’m from and I was just like these students,” he said. “My goal is to inspire them about what they can become. It’s one thing to be able to talk with students elsewhere but to be in my hometown is just a different feeling; it’s one of the highlights of my career.”
Bardo, an analyst for NBC Big 10 Network and Fox Sports and former NBA player, spoke regarding to his own career and how he transitioned from a professional athlete to broadcasting.
He shared the fact he was
denied 16 times during his journey to play in the NBA, and stressed the importance of resilience and grit to achieve goals.
“I come from a household of educators so while I’m not necessarily in the schools I like to pass on some of my personal experiences and struggles because people don’t relate to your success, they relate to your struggles,” said Bardo. “When students see someone that looks like them and have achieved certain milestones but hear about the downfalls, they can begin to look at their own lives and realize rejection is just a part of the process.
“I want these young people to understand that I, too, have down times and need motivation so hopefully they will recognize and utilize that as well.”
Wilson said he believes it’s important for students to interact with successful individuals with whom they can relate to.
“We’re so grateful to Matt for putting this together and recognizing how important and impactful it is for our community,” he said. “There is power in networking and relationships because without them we wouldn’t be sitting here.”