Gulf Breeze High School was recently visited by motivational speaker Kevin Atlas! He spoke about being our wake-up call and providing empathy to the students of the school. He cracked jokes and told tear-jerkers, but overall he really moved the student body to be the change in this school.

   Atlas explained to the school that he faced many struggles as a child, in and outside of his home. At school, he faced bullying from his peers because of his lost arm, in addition to de-lays in learning. Not only that, he began to face challenges at home as well when his parents got a divorce and his father died of cancer.

   Even with these many obstacles, Atlas still managed to grow up to live a successful and happy life. Because of his passionate love for basketball and the support he received from his coach, Atlas could put everything behind him and focus on his dream and what made him happy. Despite everything Atlas went through, he still managed to play division 1 NCAA basketball.

   “Empathy is a superpower,” Atlas taught us, “and you need to make the conscious choice to develop it.” He also encouraged us to be successful and happy with our lives and work hard for what we want.

   After he spoke to the entire student body in the gym, he gathered with a small group of kids for a ‘Leadership Lunch’ in the library. He spoke to the kids and answered their questions. Among them, he shared that his favorite country he had visited was New Zealand. Atlas has a degree from a New York University in economics with a minor in finance.

   These students were also encouraged to in-form the administration (who were also present) of problems that they felt were prevalent in the school. Then they worked together to try and solve these problems.

   Kevin Atlas came to our school to teach us how to empathize, show kindness, and work hard for our dreams.

   “Kevin Atlas is an incredible person who lives to give back. I truly believe the students of GBHS will carry his words of acceptance forward and make GBHS the most caring and friendly school for every student walking her halls, regardless of what they look like, grade they’re in, physical ability or club in which they belong,” stated Principal Danny Brothers. “I’m excited to see the many ways the students of our wonderful school will implement Kevin’s examples and the positive change resulting from their efforts!”