Williston Middle School students received a lesson about success in academics Tuesday morning.
Sixth- and seventh-grade students gathered in the school auditorium for a speech from guest speaker Kenston J. Griffin, the first of a two-part event with Griffin and the Parents Accepting the Challenge to Empower (PACE) program.
Griffin, a North Carolina licensed psychologist, spoke to students for about 45 minutes. In his speech, Griffin emphasized three things—know the company you keep, keep a good attitude and focus on academics.
“I am looking for the next astronaut…I am looking for that person to be the next engineer, archaeologist, and teacher,” Griffin said.
He encouraged young ladies to keep good company, maintain a positive attitude and focus their work. Many of the students are from families who keep more than one job and, for those students, Griffin said it is up to the student to read and do homework.
For the young men, Griffin talked about many of the same things, but added that poor posture is developing many curved spinal cords later in life. Slouching and saggy pants are a contributing factor and according to Griffin, may affect a male’s ability to perform athletically if he chooses to do so.
At the end of the speech students were encouraged to embrace the new attitude saying, in unison, “This is the day that I choose to take my academics seriously.”
The event with Griffin continues with a dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Williston Middle School cafeteria and auditorium at the 11thStreet entrance.
For more information about PACE night, contact the New Hanover County Schools Public Relations Department at (910) 254-4245.
