Students and Jets fullback, Tony Richardson, at the launch of the "Be a Champion" essay contest.
Students at the High School for Environmental Studies in Manhattan helped New York Jets fullback Tony Richardson kick off the second annual “Be a Champion” essay contest this past week. The contest asks City students with disabilities to write an essay describing a challenging situation they must overcome or how they define personal success.
“Never allow people to tell you something is impossible,” Richardson told the crowd. “To achieve success you need to sacrifice to reach your goals.”
Students said Richardson inspired them.
“I’m very impressed that he hasn’t let fame and wealth get to him, he is not stuck up,” said a 12th grader, Darius James, who plans to study forensics after graduation. “I look at my community and realize I have to give back, and to me that’s what being a champion is about.”
The competition is a collaboration among the Department of Education, the New York Jets, and Lime Connect, an organization which prepares students with disabilities to enter the workforce. Lime’s Chairman, Rich Donovan, who has cerebral palsy, urged students to think about what they would do after high school.
Ninth-grader Iskask Lavan said that he plans to study astronomy after high school, but admits it might not be easy.
“I know I have to work hard to achieve my goal and I can’t slack off in school, that’s important,” Lavan said.
One hundred essay winners will be chosen to attend a celebration hosted by the New York Jets. Entries are due by November 13 and should be emailed to
BeAChampion@schools.nyc.gov or mailed to: Be a Champion Essay Contest, 52 Chambers Street, Room 220, New York, NY 10007