BHS students get inspirational talk
Posted on Friday, September 7, 2007
BENTONVILLE - Dale Ayres admits that he hasn't put as much effort as he could, so far, into his classes at Bentonville High School.
After hearing inspirational speaker Calvin Mackie, Ayres decided to make a change. The freshman is now planning to work a little harder.
Mackie, who addressed the BHS student body Thursday in two separate assemblies at the school, talked about his life, including how when he first started college, he had to take remedial classes to catch up because he didn't have very strong college-entrance exam scores.
"There were people there who were more talented than me, but I refused to let anyone outwork me," he said.
Mackie earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech University, a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Morehouse College, a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. Later, he joined the faculty at Tulane University.
"I want these kids to know that dreams do come true with hard work," he said. "American kids don't get that. We're more into celebrating the virtue of wealth instead of having a wealth of virtues."
Mackie said that not only are American students more into gaining wealth, they have not been taught the proper way to obtain wealth.
"They are not going to be discovered on a street corner," he said. "That's not the American dream."
Mackie kept the students' attention throughout his presentation.
"He talked about all the good things he's accomplished because he worked hard," Ayres said.
Fellow freshman Cody O'Neal was also impressed.
The boys agreed they liked Mackie's message about how dressing and speaking properly shows respect for others and for one's self.
"He put it in terms that we would understand," O'Neal said.
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