STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

(March 6, 2008) . . Imagine your entire high school sitting quietly through a one-and-one half hour presentation while listening intently to the speaker! That was the case on February 13th when Bill Sanders visited the Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC) to speak to the students about caring for one another and making healthier decisions!

Bill Sanders is a gifted speaker known for his sincerity, humor, and story-telling. Since 1978, he has been touching the lives of students, teachers, and parents all across the country. He has the special ability to talk the language and be on the level of many different audiences in order to deliver his message.

Bill’s goal is to reach students in a way that they know and feel in their hearts that he was speaking just to them. Bill knows from his own experiences, of the pressures and worries students carry that sometimes cause them to behave in a way that is not positive or healthy. Though his message, he hopes to change attitudes and, if needed, behaviors to make the world a better place for all.

Morgan Gardner, United senior and ICTC Student Government Association secretary, introduced Bill Sanders as he took the spotlight in the main lobby. Sharing his experiences, Bill Sanders began by appealing to the students to make the right choices even when no one can see you or will know.

Every teen experiences peer pressure during high school. During the assembly, Bill gave the students help in making the right decisions. He suggested asking yourself this question, “How will this decision affect the rest of my life?” This answer will guide you in making the right decision.

Bill’s amazing ability to capture the full attention of his audience, has gained him instant approval in more than 600 schools. His positive influence presents the importance of resisting peer pressure and being a leader instead of a follower.

The students at the ICTC had positive responses to the assembly and Bill’s unique way of interacting with the audience. Along with bringing important information to make healthier decisions, Bill shared many experiences throughout his life with the students.

“What’s right is right and there’s never a right way to do a wrong thing,” stated Bill Sanders.
Bill connected with the audience by incorporating his personality throughout the assembly. Bill shared a story about a girl who would continuously get teased in the halls of her high school. He said, the ironic thing is no one tried to stop it. This was one of the stories Bill told, followed by urging the students, not to be average. “…I think it was effective because most of the students were talking about it when they were walking away,” added James Clark, a senior from United.

Bill Sanders delivered several challenges to the ICTC students and urged everyone not to be average, and to think before you act. Bill’s message opened students’ eyes to the consequences of destructive decisions and provided the inspiration to succeed.

For more information on the ICTC, click here.

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