Students at Westside Academy had a sweet surprise today as members of the BC Lions visited their school as part of the Lions in the House program.
Daniela Johnson is the school’s athletic director.
“I think it’s an awesome opportunity any time kids and young individuals get to be in the presence of an elite athlete that has been able to achieve their goals and share in their energy with these kids and inspire them and motivate them to pursue their dream, whatever it might be.”
Players Eric Fraser, T-Dre Player and Stephen Adekulo shared stories about goal-setting and teamwork with exuberant students.
“They’re getting the kids to come up and compete against each other,” said Johnson. “They’re getting them to cheer and just be really involved. I’m seeing a lot of team spirit.”
Eric Fraser touted trades as a career consideration.
“Tradespeople maintain infrastructure, repair infrastructure and build infrastructure. They’re the basis of our society,” said Fraser. “They create all of these things that we need to function as a society. I know, especially up here in Prince George and northern BC, trades are a huge employer.”
He also stressed that taking on a trade doesn’t have to mean giving up on getting a degree.
“You’ll have the skill for your entire life so if you do decide, ‘You know what? I want to go to university and get a degree,” you can go ahead and do that and you’ve been working for four years and you’ve got a job that can pay for your schooling.”
Johnson said she appreciates professional athletes taking the time to share lessons learned on the field and off with the kids.
“Being an athlete is so similar to life because you’re going to hit adversity, you’re going to hit challenges where you’re going to have to dig deep and try to find ways to manoeuvre through those challenges.”
She says it’s Westside Academy’s first time participating in the program.
The Lions will be in town through Thursday, visiting schools to present their Lions in the House, Energy Champions and Read, Write & Roar programs.
They will also be hosting Lions Pride flag football events starting this evening.
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