iThink founder Chad Furlong speaks to Calexico High School students Thursday. The iThink team is touring schools across the nation spreading inspirational themes to students. (Alejandro Davila) |
CALEXICO — Through his childhood and teenage years in Montana, iThink team leader Jaim Connor, 20, had a hard time growing up.
“Pequeño — si,” Connor said jokingly during the assembly presentation he made to Calexico High School students Thursday morning. Connor is 4 feet, 10 inches tall. On top of having a dysfunctional family at home, in school people made fun of him.
“I was told you can’t do (it), or you are stupid,” he said.
But those types of comments don’t control your future, Connor advised before proudly saying that he dismissed all negatives remarks he got and worked hard to become the first person in his family to graduate from high school.
Attendees cheered, especially after Connor said to students: “I believe in you.”
More speakers followed during the roughly 40-minute iThink School Assemblies event that included a video presentation, games, hip hop, dancing and a silent drama performance.
The team also visited Aurora High School. The revolving theme of both presentations was for teenagers to persevere when pursuing a dream or facing problems and above all, think big.
“Don’t just be a mechanic; own the shop,” Dan Furlong said to students. Furlong is founder of the association that started touring schools about 12 years ago.
The iThink team is comprised of young men and women, Furlong said, many of them fresh out of high school. These leaders give about nine months of their lives, he said, and “inspire kids to think.”
“This is a full-time thing,” said Jacob Guevara, a 21-year-old San Diego resident who’s been with the team for the last seven months.
“Kids need someone to look up to,” said Guevara, who through his message wants to encourage kids to “think big,” pursue good things and look at themselves as role models.
“God definitely called me to do this,” said team leader David Alexander, 20. About seven months ago he put on hold his collegiate studies in business and dancing “to create a positive impact,” he said.
In Calexico, students seemed to respond positively.
“It was really good. Really entertaining for teenagers,” said Calexico High School sophomore Kenya Romo, 15, as she was going to class after the event.
“It was awesome,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, 15, who is also a sophomore. “I am starting to think bigger already,” she said.
“It was really motivating,” said Giovanna Wells, a Calexico High School biology teacher.
The message that iThink brings gets across because “they don’t talk at them,” Wells said. She said iThink team leaders “get down to level with teenagers” by acting and singing and having fun with them.
“I like the whole concept,” she said, and the program is a success even if only two students get the message.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
“Pequeño — si,” Connor said jokingly during the assembly presentation he made to Calexico High School students Thursday morning. Connor is 4 feet, 10 inches tall. On top of having a dysfunctional family at home, in school people made fun of him.
“I was told you can’t do (it), or you are stupid,” he said.
But those types of comments don’t control your future, Connor advised before proudly saying that he dismissed all negatives remarks he got and worked hard to become the first person in his family to graduate from high school.
Attendees cheered, especially after Connor said to students: “I believe in you.”
More speakers followed during the roughly 40-minute iThink School Assemblies event that included a video presentation, games, hip hop, dancing and a silent drama performance.
The team also visited Aurora High School. The revolving theme of both presentations was for teenagers to persevere when pursuing a dream or facing problems and above all, think big.
“Don’t just be a mechanic; own the shop,” Dan Furlong said to students. Furlong is founder of the association that started touring schools about 12 years ago.
The iThink team is comprised of young men and women, Furlong said, many of them fresh out of high school. These leaders give about nine months of their lives, he said, and “inspire kids to think.”
“This is a full-time thing,” said Jacob Guevara, a 21-year-old San Diego resident who’s been with the team for the last seven months.
“Kids need someone to look up to,” said Guevara, who through his message wants to encourage kids to “think big,” pursue good things and look at themselves as role models.
“God definitely called me to do this,” said team leader David Alexander, 20. About seven months ago he put on hold his collegiate studies in business and dancing “to create a positive impact,” he said.
In Calexico, students seemed to respond positively.
“It was really good. Really entertaining for teenagers,” said Calexico High School sophomore Kenya Romo, 15, as she was going to class after the event.
“It was awesome,” said Priscilla Rodriguez, 15, who is also a sophomore. “I am starting to think bigger already,” she said.
“It was really motivating,” said Giovanna Wells, a Calexico High School biology teacher.
The message that iThink brings gets across because “they don’t talk at them,” Wells said. She said iThink team leaders “get down to level with teenagers” by acting and singing and having fun with them.
“I like the whole concept,” she said, and the program is a success even if only two students get the message.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
