Girard challenges students to be better citizens

On Campus

January 28, 2010

From Staff Reports

AMERICUS — Do you think that an assembly with rap music and photos of rap stars could be used to inspire students to raise their self esteem and provided character education lessons in how to treat others as well as motivation for establishing and meeting one’s goals? That was exactly the case for Sumter County High School students attending the South Campus, Performance Learning Center, Early College, Ninth Grade Academy and Cross Roads who had the privilege of attending an assembly given by presenter Marcus Girard.

Girard grew up in New York City and after his boyhood time of living in very poor circumstances he decided to try to do something to help young people. He graduated from Morehouse University, got married and has six children. He has become a motivational speaker who uses his talents to inspire young people to be better citizens. The occasion for this assembly was the climax for a week of discussions centering on bullying. However, the theme of his message seemed to be when a person is striving to be a better person by working to be a better student, reading more, and treating others as they want to be treated their self esteem was raised and they had no need to mistreat or bully others.

He effectively used music and images of well known personalities along with facts about them to point the direction that students should not go if they want to be successful adults. He placed an emphasis on the importance of reading to improve one’s image and ability to succeed in the real world.

The students were well mannered and attentive for over an hour listening and laughing only at appropriate times. From discussions that were held after the assembly it seems that this was an effective way to get the point across about being a good citizen and treating others with respect.