During the annual freshman transition summer event, members of the Class of 2028 had the opportunity to visit the building and get acquainted with school counselors, teachers, and their peers prior to the first day of school. Students received tours of the building, learned about the pathways to graduation, and engaged in a presentation by author and motivational speaker Brandon Lee White.
Born unable to speak, White shared his journey from outcast to school president, as well as his 6-year battle with depression. Today, he travels throughout the country to speak to thousands of schools with his message, “Own It: The Three-Step Process.”
- Build Character: choosing what’s truly important over what’s deceivingly urgent.
- Develop Skills: self-awareness, vision creating, goal setting, communicating.
- Impact People: positively impact mental health and life’s challenges through relational leadership.
White encouraged students to balance what he refers to as the three buckets: people, progress, and play. Referencing graduation as one of the ultimate goals, he spoke about the abundance of opportunities that are ahead for Schuylerville students.
“If you don’t think you can, you won’t,” said White. “It’s one thing to have an opportunity, it’s another thing to take it. Don’t get caught in the “coulda, woulda, shoulda” pattern.”
To end the freshman transition event, students participated in a ballroom dancing workshop. White got every student moving and participating in something many had never tried before.
“Brandon’s positivity and energy was contagious among our students,” said High School Principal James Ducharme. “In addition to an inspiring message, the ballroom dancing was an excellent icebreaker. By the end, students were laughing, engaged, and at ease with one another. It was a great way to kick off everyone’s high school experience and begin the new school year on a great note.”
“You are a class and will be together for the next 4 years; be people who support each other,” said White in his closing remarks to students. “Go after your goals and dreams, but the best thing is to be there for one another.”