Students Get Great Message from David Heeb
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth grade students were recently treated to several special guests. Middle schoolers from Grandview R2, St. Clair R13, and Richwoods R7 joined Lonedell middle schoolers to listen to David Heeb. Mr. Heeb currently serves as the Superintendent of Prairie Home RV School District. But his story is much more than being an educator.
Mr. Heeb was driving along an interstate in Florida several years ago when he was struck by a drunk driver. The driver and his passenger died as a result of the accident. Mr. Heeb survived. And in a great way. He wasn't discovered inside his smashed vehicle for 30 minutes, had to be extracted by taking the top off of the vehicle, and was critically injured. He overcame those injuries with multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation. He learned many things and makes a mission of sharing those lessons with students.
"I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself after the accident. One more second could have changed everything. I finally realized that I was meant to be in that exact spot at that time," said Heeb. "I grew up in a little school. We were a basketball school, and a good one. I had decided that I was extra special and stopped making the best decisions: driving fast, staying out late, hanging out where I shouldn't have been. My coach had a talk with me explaining that I wasn't that special. My talent couldn't protect me. If I didn't change my actions, I wouldn't last. You can't be that close to a bad situation, even if you aren't taking part, and not be affected by it. Be smart. It will affect your life. We are all a reflection of the choices we make. You can influence the people around you. How much better a place would your school be if you are that one degree difference in your own life? And when you find someone else you can affect too, how much better would your school be?"
After speaking, Mr. Heeb took several questions from students. Our TREND Leaders gave advice to the group about how to deal with being in bad situations, and clever ways to get out of them. Check out Mr. Heeb's website at https://www.justwintoday.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/justwintoday/