Award winning singer/songwriter Jared Campbell, famed for his inspiring messages on overcoming obstacles, anti-bullying, respect, leadership and maintaining a positive outlook on life, more than lived up to his billing at assemblies at both the grades 3-5 Kelley School and Pre-K through 2nd Perkins School November 17th.
To view the full designed article with photos and text visit: https://5il.co/29jtl
While his presentations were slightly different and tailored to the different ages at each school, Campbell fully engaged both of the young audiences as he belted out his popular tunes that were accompanied by photos and videos.
Depending on the song, the youngters eagerly sang, tapped their feet, clapped and yes, even feigned barking “arf, arf, arf ruff, ruff, ruff” as Campbell sang one of his most popular and beloved tunes at each school “Love Like A Dog.”
Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aolax5NThvI
Campbell prefaced that number at each school by enumerating the wonderful qualities of his two-year-old Bernedoodle named Bruce who he said is his best friend because he loves him unconditionally, is totally forgiving, doesn’t hold grudges, gets along with everybody, wags approvingly and happily all the time and greets him when he’s been outside to get the mail like he’s been gone for ten years.
Both at Kelley and Perkins, Campbell used that song and accompanying video to encourage students that they can learn much about such things as kindness and forgiveness from their dogs behavior and learn to emulate it.
At Kelley, while there was enough humor to go around, Campbell appealed to the children to become “world changers” by:
• Believing in their own value. He told them they were “priceless” and there was no one else like them in the whole earth. He said they should not let negative behavior of others directed toward them diminish them in any way. He appealed to them to be a good examples by showing respect for and kindness to others.
He also encouraged the students to believe that they can do great things in their lives and used powerful examples in a song, “Change The World,” and accompanying video about three individuals who may not have ever believed, when they were young, their lives would make a positive difference in various ways.
•The now deceased and extraordinary American civil rights movement activist Rosa Parks, whose role in the Montgomery bus boycott ultimately led to the November 1956 decision that bus segregation is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• Former professional basketball player Michael Jordan whom the National Basketball Association’s website states is the “greatest basketball player of all time. ”
• Rachel Scott, for the remarkable selflessness and kindness she showed to others at her high school. She was posthumously the inspiration for “Rachel’s Challenge,” an international school outreach program espousing values contained in writings before her death in which she said compassion is "the greatest form of love humans have to offer.”
Campbell also used a great example of a large evergreen tree from where he has lived all his life in Vestal, New York as something that so many, including himself, never really took notice of before it was selected to be this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
He told his Kelley audience that many people, like that tree, often go unnoticed by others, but eventually do amazing things in their lives. The story about the tree inspired Campbell to recently write “The Tree” song that is being released on listening platforms like Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify and Amazon released this holiday season. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkEo58VPaUU
At both schools, Campbell also appropriately warned children not to allow themselves to be bullied, including not keeping silent about it, but to seek help by telling trusted adults.
“Jared Campbell gave an amazing performance/presentation for our students. Not only was it inspirational for students and teachers, but it also allowed students to have share an outlet and love of music. Jared's message was in perfect alignment with our school's goals fostering a safe and inclusive environment, promoting respect, and nurturing leadership skills among our students. We're grateful to have had the opportunity to invite him and have him share his message of leadership and building positive self-esteem for students,’’ said Christina Sullivan, Assistant Principal at Kelley School.
After the assembly, third grader Alex Perez from Elizabeth Bradstreet's class told his teacher: "His (Jared Campbell’s) singing from the assembly inspired him to be a kinder friend. He said, "I tried it out during PE by helping all my friends put their scooters away."
“Jared’s energy and music sent a positive message to all our students on how we can be “Super Heroes” through kindness and doing the right thing,” said Perkins School Principal Pete Czerkas. “ These beliefs align with our Perkin’s Pride values of Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and being Part of our School Community.”