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Students sometimes bring items they are fond of to school to share with their class. One girl at Hazelwood Middle School shared an intangible message of taking their studies, themselves and their grades seriously.

An online entry in the National Football League and J C Penney Afterschool Fund’s “Take a Player to School” sweepstakes turned out to be a winner for eighth grader Kyrie Brown. As a result, the NFL sent St. Louis Rams football star Steven Jackson to Brown’s home, where he visited with her and family members. She and her mother rode with Jackson to school by limousine.

“Everybody screamed and we took lots of pictures and he signed Christmas cards and footballs,” said her mother, Ryvette Brown. “He was nice, very friendly and warm—not stuck on himself.”

She said the Browns and Jackson talked a lot about family.

“He talked about Kyrie’s grades,” the mother added.

When asked what she talked to Jackson about, the youngster shrugged her shoulders and said, “Nothing, we just took a lot of pictures.”

She may be very shy about all of the media and attention she received from her classmates. However, knowing that the Rams running back was taking her to school by limo the next day was enough bring on a bout of insomnia.

“I had a hard time sleeping,” Brown said.

The visit was kept as a secret to surprise Brown’s classmates at school, although it was too good to keep from a few of her buddies.

“I told Chinelo, I told this boy named Jay and I told a girl named Cody,” she said.

Students from her team, along with the school’s peer ambassadors, student council, positive behavior support contest winners and the yearbook group at HMS, were called to the gymnasium the morning of the event.

Their limousine was greeted by kids with big smiles and posters of welcome and congratulations. When Brown and Jackson stepped out of the vehicle—the cheers were almost as deafening as an intercepted Rams touchdown run at the Edward Jones Dome.

Inside the decorated gym, Jackson engaged her classmates in a rousing discussion about making good grades, participating in positive after-school programs, speaking intelligently and self-confidence.

“We’re here to talk about the importance of education and more importantly, about getting those grades up,” said Jackson.

Jackson, a 23-year old from Las Vegas, Nevada, told his attentive fans that he maintained a 3.8 grade point average in school, participated in several sports and studied architecture in college.

“Is anyone involved in after-school programs?” he asked.

Many hands were raised. “That’s good,” he responded.

“Basketball, track and football are leadership programs that taught me to be a public speaker,” Jackson said. “How many of you want to be a professional athlete?”

Plenty of hands were eagerly raised.

“A professional athlete is the fourth most stressful job in America,” he said to a surprised group, who seemed to immediately quiet down. “I’m no different from you—I make mistakes.” Jackson talked about the stresses that go with the glamour of being a pro ball player, such as boos from opposing audiences and criticism of performances.

“How many of you want to be president of the United States?”

Not nearly as many hands were raised, but there were enough to cause Jackson to freak out a few gawking teenage girls by going right up the bleachers where they were seated to investigate further.

“Life is going to teach you lessons, but you need to know what to do with it,” Jackson said.

He asked a student to come forward and walk a straight line. The girl walked straight, without a wiggle or a giggle. She may have sensed this brief demonstration was neither a beauty pageant nor a fashion show.

“She had to look down and concentrate to walk a straight line,” Jackson said, and told them that is what they needed to do in school to help them be a success.

Jackson said he was most proud of the opportunity to speak to young ladies and men like them.

“If I can change one person, I’m happy,” he said

(Story and photos courtesy of Hazelwood Communications Dept.)

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