A Special Visit to Collins Academy - Robert Hughes

Robert Hughes (http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hughes_robert01.html and http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=237399) came to visit Collins Academy today! He had a special one on on session with D.A. and then talked for 45 mins with a group of 24 students, 4 teachers, and City Year, taking our questions and having a conversation about topics from getting recruited, distractions at college, to how much he can bench press...550 for those that are wondering...
The students loved having the chance to talk to him and they were interested in everything he was saying! Robert's visit made a big difference for some of those students and I appreciate his willingness to share a part of himself with our school. It was such a great and unique opportunity to hear about what it takes to play sports in college and in the pros. Hopefully we can partner with him again sometimes in the future! Thanks Robert! And thank you Notre Dame for the tight and well knit community where we can call on each other without any hesitations and work together to make a difference in the lives of others.

"At the start of every class, I would sit down and on the top of my paper write down my goal:

 Goal: NFL

...it encouraged me to work hard so that I could one day reach it."

- Robert Hughes, Number 33 

Robert sitting down and answering student's questions

Robert in a "huddle" with students after the event

Robert and Collins students!

Robert and our City Year team!

Me: "What was your favorite part of the event?"
D.P.: "550." (Referencing that Robert can bench press 550 lbs.
Me: "And your least favorite?"
D.P.: "...(after a long pause) I can't think of any. It was all good!"

Me: "M, did you like it?!"
M.T.: "Yeah, it was all great!"

Me: "What you think of it, E? Did you like it?"
E.S.Jr.: after he comes up to me and gives me a high five, "It was great! I'm so glad I got a chance to talk to him. And you know, there were 2 future pro football players in that room..."
Me: "You and Robert Hughes?!"
E.S.Jr.: "YES!"

Triumph:

We did it. We're able to talk and have a normal conversation. Before, he'd ignore me, call out for Ms. H and refuse my help even though I would be standing right next to him. But now, it's different. I got to him. By listening. Earlier in the year, he mention Robert Hughes, a Notre Dame football player that he grew up with. About a month ago, I contacted Robert to see if he wanted to come to our school and meet some students. I reached out to D.A. and asked for his help in planning Robert's trip to Collins. I think I was finally able to show him that I care about what he cares about, and that I'm here to help. So now in class, he's much more responsive to me. Instead of dismissing me, he calls out for me. Most of the time, he'd rather get my help than the teachers. And he is willing to stay after class to get clarification on the work. He's even my Recruitment Director for the Robert Hughes visit, and he even agreed to give the Thank You gift and say a few words!

We're continuing to make progress. I have a good feeling about this. I just have to stay on my game and find another thing that'll make him respond after the Robert Hughes visit.

Louder Than A Bomb

What is an event in your life that has made you feel hopeful about the future?

That was the topic for our Do Now yesterday in class:
"What is an event in your life that has made you feel hopeful about the future?"

As I was walking around checking and signing the Do Nows, I get to T's and read his...

"When I recited my poetry in front of the school and everyone cheered."

I felt so proud to know that an event my team put on was so special for T. It was a great opportunity for him to speak out and express himself and it really seem to impact him.


To read T's poem, head to the post entitled: "Why I Am the Way I Am"

JOY:

Me: "What have I taught you? What have you learned from me, LeAnte?"

 L: "You taught me to not let others bring me down. To shut down the distractions that surrounds me sometimes."

Cu(red)

They will tell you to be realistic.
They will tell you to manage your expectations.
They will tell you to set reasonable goals.
Refuse treatment.
Remain irreconcilably, incorrigibly infected with hope,
and you will see things beyond your most impractical dreams.