~from The Sturgis News
“You are greater than the seat you are sitting in,” author, motivational speaker and UCHS graduate Freeman Kinard, II told Union County High School students last Friday as the school celebrated “Black History Month.” In his remarks, Kinard noted that his message “is to motivate students to win.” The Sturgis native and author of “Keep the Faith” encourages others on their personal journey in life, and that is just what he did in a ten minute address to the UCHS student body.
“Each and every one of us has a race to run,” Kinard said as he referenced many Americans, both black and white who have made significant contributions to this country and who believed “all men can succeed.” Kinard advised, “Place yourself around people who are driven and you, too, will become driven.”
The speaker noted, “There’s a purpose to life, and you must know your purpose--you must set a foundation for those who follow you.” Quoting Thomas Edison, Kinard told the student body, “Our greatest weakness is giving up.”
“You must Live on Purpose,” he stressed. “You must design your own life plan, not fall in(to) someone else’s life plan.”
“Live better today, than you did yesterday,” he added as he cited a number of famous athletes, celebrities and others who first failed, but overcame that failure to be a winner--a success. Yesterday is gone, today is almost over, and tomorrow will give you the opportunities you need to succeed,” Kinard said.
The author also told students, “You have to decide--it is you who will take you to the next level--who do you want to become? How do you want to impact the world?”
Kinard concluded his remarks telling UCHS students, “Be greater than what anybody ever perceived.”
Kinard was part of a program organized by Operation HOPE (Helping Our People Excel), a group that strives to improve academic standing of African American students in the district. In addition to Kinard, a trio of UCHS students presented music from Motown and the Story of Inventions by African Americans titled “Inventions-What if There Were No Blacks?” a program created by UCTV students. UCHS special education teacher Sharon Ali and her daughter Zakia Perry choreographed the program. To open the show, Perry sang the National Anthem and the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
In the second segment of Friday’s program, Knisha Bryant, Javquez Avery and Breshae Yocum presented a medley of Motown music from the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Gladys Knight, Martha Rose Reeves and Boyz II Men.
The third segment featured a group of UCTV students who put together a production featuring black inventors and their contributions to modern society. Those inventions include the dust pan, combs, brushes, clothes dryers, pencil sharpener, fountain pen, type writer, snake bite remedies, and the ironing board as well as other items like the lawn mower, bicycle, potato chips, baby carriage and refrigerator.
The program concluded with 2012 UCHS graduate Rashad Wilkins and MOH (Mikey Hall and Destiny Thomas) presenting a rap number.
Chase Baker and Brianna Marshall also contributed to the program with a skit between each vignette.
The program, which was also presented on Friday evening for the public, brought February’s celebration of Black History Month to a conclusion.