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BOSTON – Students from across the Boston Public Schools district gathered at the Reggie Lewis Center Tuesday morning for the Stay in School program mid-year celebration, presented by the Arbella Insurance Foundation.
As the longest running community outreach program in professional sports, the platform incentivizes middle school students for perfect attendance and school engagement. Built around the acronym of P.R.I.D.E – perseverance, respect, integrity, decision-making and education – a series of program assemblies connect local leaders in the sport industry with striving young adults.
Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller, C’s alumni Dana Barros and Leon Powe, mascot Lucky and Dancer Cartier, teamed up to recognize the achievements of 800 young scholars.
Coach Willie Maye jump-started the morning with high-energy introductions, while students eagerly waited to hear from the panel.
Lucky took to the mic first to speak on the importance of perseverance.
“We all go through hard times,” said Lucky, “but it is how we respond to those situations that shows our true character.”
Zeller was up next and spoke to the audience on the value of respect. The center reflected on his experiences growing up and being humble enough to always be the bigger person despite outside influences.
“There are people helping you each and every day,” said Zeller. “A simple thank you goes a long way in building relationships with those looking out for you.”
The gym at the Reggie Lewis Center filled with cheers as Maye announced the chance to take home a signed basketball. With a tough decision to make, Zeller awarded the ball to an attentive fan in the front row.
Cartier then weighed in on the meaning of integrity.
“Good character leads to having a good moral compass,” stated the dancer. “Regardless of who is watching, you need to do the right thing.”
The Celtics VIPs then posed numerous trivia questions to the students for a chance to win tickets to an upcoming game or an autographed basketball.
Closing out the speaking portion of the morning, Barros and Powe touched upon the significance of decision-making and education.
“You are all here today because you have chosen to take the right path,” said Barros. “Don't let others deter you; keep doing what you are supposed to do.”
Before exiting the gym, the Celtics wished the students best of the luck with the remainder of the school year and challenged them to keep up their perfect attendance record in order to reach the final assembly in May.