by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Former Florida State football player and Rhodes Scholarship recipient Myron Rolle has realized some extraordinary achievements in his short life already. But Wednesday he was hoping to inspire the next generation to similar heights.
Rolle took time Wednesday to visit more than 100 children and teens of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, where he talked about striving to achieve greatness in numerous facets of life.
“I really hope you all do some great things and are able to give back to the community,” said Rolle.
While his parents always told him to not shortchange himself by just excelling as a student, Rolle noted that “it all starts with education.”
Rolle will soon be traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to study at the University of Oxford following his Rhodes Scholarship award, an achievement he conveyed as the “Super Bowl of academics” to the young audience while expressing his gratitude for the distinction.
In addition to the classroom, Rolle talked to the group about the merits of working hard in the athletic realm, giving back to the community even at a young age and generally striving to become great in life through values and character.
State Sen. Tony Hill introduced Rolle, noting Rolle’s childhood at a similar Boys & Girls Club in New Jersey, while also conveying the unified positive message of achieving greatness.
“You can go as high as you want to go,” said Hill. “Nothing can hold you back.”
The message was one that didn’t ring hollow, as many of the children filled out “Be Great” cards to present to the guests that shared their own goals and dreams.
“They were very nice and it was a message about being great” said Cortez Presha, one of the children who attended. “No matter what.”
Presha and his friend Josh Tolbert, also of the Boys & Girls Club, were all smiles following the speech, something they both said they’d follow.
“I liked it,” said Tolbert. “They talked about how we can do anything and following our dreams.”
Rolle said speaking to groups like the Northeast Florida Boys & Girls Club means a lot to him, as he feels his story can be an inspiration.
For President Dr. Shannon Perry, both the time and story were valuable to the organization in their mission.
“He (Rolle) speaks of the same fundamentals and values that we teach our children here,” said Perry. “His presence here is extremely exciting for all of us.”
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