Motivate Me Monday
Monday, September 28, 2020
Our first "Motivate Me Monday" speaker was Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education member Reverend Matthew Wilson. Rev. Wilson spoke to the students about making choices in their lives and choosing to become something and someone who makes a positive change in the world. He told them to look at being at STARS as a chance to start over and to start fresh! Thank you so much for inspiring us Rev. Wilson!
Monday, October 5, 2020
Today's "Motivate Me Monday" Speaker was Mr. Marques Phillips. Mr. Phillips shared previous unhealthy decisions that he made with dealing with law enforcement and how to live your dreams no matter your starting point! Thank you Mr. Phillips!
Monday, October 12, 2020
Today our "Motivate Me Monday" speaker was Mr. D'Undray Peterson! Mr. Peterson inspired us all with his 4 P's: Picture it, Master Plan, Prepare, and Pursue! He taught us to see what we want, plan for it, and go get it! He left us with his favorite quote for when someone tells him that they have something that they want to do...he tells them "Well Go Get It!!". What a great start to our Monday!
Monday, October 19, 2020
Our "Motivate Me Monday" speaker today was Ms. Washaundra McNeil! What an uplifting and inspiring message. She talked to students about remembering their SODAS when faced with problems in life!
S-Situations
O-Obstacles
D-Disadvantages
A-Advantages
S-Solutions
Thank you so much for starting our Monday off great!!!
Monday, November 2, 2020
Our "Motivate Me Monday" speaker today was Mr. Santez Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell is a local business owner, husband, and father, who grew up in Tuscaloosa. He spoke to the students about the homelessness that he endured, the drug and alcohol abuse that he saw around him, and the how all of that made him determined to create a different future for himself! He told the students to "not let what they do today, affect their tomorrow!" He also reminded the students to be good stewards of the resources around them to learn and grow! Thank you Mr. Mitchell for starting our Monday off right!!
Monday, November 9, 2020
Today's "Motivate Me Monday" speaker was Mrs. Emefa Butler from Uniontown, AL. She is a mentor of one of our wonderful staff Members Mr. Martel Jones! Mrs. Butler started by speaking to each student and established a connection. Then she talked to them about what they wanted to be and reminded them that "If you don't take a chance and try, then you will never get to where you want to go". She told the students about the wonderful resources that we have here at STARS and about how they should take advantage of these resources while they are here (more attention from teachers, smaller classes, etc.) She also reminded the students that we are a family here and we help each other, that included them helping each other! "When someone helps you. Then you turn around and help someone else!" She left the students with some wonderful words about using the talents that they have. She also added "don't let your attitude overshadow your talents!" Thank you so much Mrs. Butler!
Monday, February 22, 2021
Our "Motivate Me Monday" speaker was Mr. Rodney Bivens, head football coach at Central High School! Coach Bivens inspired the kids with his 2 point theory! The 2 points are focus and respond! Focus on your goals and where you want to go. Make good choices and no matter what someone does to you, it is up to you HOW you respond! He also talked about being careful what we listen to and what we watch on TV and social media...what you fill your body with is what is going to come out! He challenged the kids about the choices they make and the responses they give! Thanks Coach for starting our week off right!
Monday, April 5, 2021
Our Motivate Me Monday speaker today was Dr. Johnny Tice, Professor at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing! Dr. Tice spoke to our STARS students about being passionate about what you want to do or be in life and pursuing that passion! He told them that there will be detours, but to remember where you are headed and your goals that you want to achieve. He also told the students to learn everything you can about what you want to do, make a plan to achieve it, make steps in your plan, and never lose sight of your goal! Thank you for your inspiring words Dr. Tice!
Monday, April 12, 2021
Our Motivate Me Monday speaker today was Mr. Hayes Webb, Tuscaloosa County District Attorney. Mr. Webb had a great conversation with the students about where they want to go in life and who they are going to let make choices/decisions for them. He told them to surround themselves with people who want to see then succeed, not those that want them to fail or to pull them down. He told the students to believe in themselves and to set goals for themselves! He reminded them that everyday is a new day and everyday we all are faced with choices. It is up to us what choices we choose to make! He also reminded the students that true friends don't need impressing! Thank you so much for spending time with us Mr. Webb!
Monday, April 26, 2021
Our Motivate Me Monday speaker was Reverend Matthew Wilson of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education and soon to be inaugurated Tuscaloosa City Council Member! Reverend Wilson spoke honestly to the kids about not becoming a statistic and to always believe that "they are enough"! He told the kids about his beginning and about the people that encouraged him and the goals that he set for himself. He encouraged them to finish their education and to dare to make a difference in the world. He also challenged them to dress to impress and to hold their heads high! Thank you so much Reverend Wilson for reminding our babies that they are absolutely "enough just they way they are"!
Monday, May 3, 2021
Our Motivate Monday speaker came to motivate and that she did! Ms. Mechele Coley from Allstate started our Monday off with such inspiration! Ms. Coley is the only African American Woman Allstate agent in the State of Alabama. She gave the kids 4 great points to start their day: 1. You need to enjoy being a kid and should not have to be an adult or have adult responsibilities at this age. If you do, ask an adult for help! 2. Find a summer job that you enjoy and make some money to spend on yourself! Keep yourself occupied. 3. Believe in yourself! 2020 have us a reset and you can be whoever you want to be. 4. Everything worth having takes energy, effort, and hard work! Give it your best! Thank you Ms. Coley for starting our week off right!
Monday, May 10, 2021
Our Motivate Me Monday speaker this week was Tuscaloosa City Councilwoman Ms. Raeven Howard. Ms. Howard told the children about her journey to get where she is now and how she realized that some of the situations that she faced were ones that she put herself in by making wrong choices. She encouraged the kids to be cautious about what situations that they place themselves in. She told them about her support system that encouraged her and told the kids to surround themselves with people who believe in them. She told the children to have goals, work towards those goals, and never give up or let anyone stop you from achieving your goals! She challenged them to "know who and what you want to be!" Thank you Councilwoman Howard for starting our week off right!
Monday, May 17, 2021
Our Motivate Me Monday speaker today was Reverend/Coach Tim Martin. Mr. Martin spoke to the kids about respect and reminded them that no one can disrespect you, you can only disrespect yourself. You know who you are and what you can achieve, don't let anyone change your mindset or take away your dreams! He also inspired the children to be respectful to everyone they meet, because you never know who you will meet later or need later in life. Remember the Golden Rule always! Don't let anyone stop you from being the person that you are supposed to be! Thank you Reverend Martin for starting our week off right!
Monday, November 8, 2021
Today's "Motivate Me Monday" Speaker was Mr. Mason Bonner from Stillman College. Mr. Bonner shared the 7 steps to effective decision making and these 7 steps are necessary for making logical decisions. Thank you Mr. Bonner!
Monday, December 6, 2021
Our Motivate Me Monday speaker today was Ms. Tamela Hughes. Ms. Hughes spoke to our kids about the difference between making a mistake and quitting. When you make a mistake, you keep going; when you fail, you quit. She also encouraged the kids to write down their dreams and to make those dreams into goals SMART goals. Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. A goal is just a thought until you write it down. She was such an encouragement as she shared her story of struggle and failure with the kids and encouraged them to keep going and pursuing. She left them with one of my favorite quotes, "I can accept failure, everyone fails, but I cannot accept not trying"-Michael Jordan.
Monday, December 13, 2021
Our Motivate me Monday speaker was Mr. Daniel Truelove! He is a wonderful motivational speaker who reminds kids that their environment is not an excuse in life and that although you can't determine your environment, you can determine your choices! He asked the kids what decisions they are making in their lives right now and if they are owning the choices they are making. Good choices lead to good places. He ended by challenging them with "every one of you has the opportunity to make a difference and change your world!!
Monday, January 31, 2022
Our Motivate Me Monday speakers today were Dean Hopson and members of the Stillman College Black Male Initiative! The word of the day was opportunity and these gentlemen certainly inspired us! They each gave a bit of their personal journeys that led them to where they are now and how important it is to surround yourself with a village that you can trust and lean on. Dean Hopson challenged the students to remember the quote "The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity". Be courageous, step out of your comfort zone, and do your own thing (but lean on your village when you need support). Thank you gentlemen for starting our week off right!