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BC Lions visit Alberni Valley elementary schools

Athletes talk about making life choices, setting goals
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BC Lions linebacker Dyshawn Davis takes a selfie with students at Alberni Elementary.

Three members of the BC Lions Football Club were in Port Alberni this week, visiting three elementary schools as part of the “Lions in the House” program.

Linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Dyshawn Davis and cornerbacker Matt Bucknor made presentations at EJ Dunn Elementary School, Alberni Elementary School and Haahuupayak School, using their own experiences at school and on the field to discuss how to make significant life choices in order to achieve your goals.

“It’s not going to be easy, but if you make the right choices, you can attain those goals,” Elimimian told students.

Their speeches were interspersed with fun activities, such as a relay race and a tug-of-war competition, that allowed students to compete with their peers.

Alberni Elementary principal Laurie Morphet said it was a good message, and broken down well for students. “Everybody had fun,” she said.

Elimimian explained that he enjoys visiting schools to engage with students.

“It’s about connecting with the youth,” he said. “You’re either a positive role model or a negative role model. I want to be a positive role model. It took positive role models for me…to accomplish the things I have accomplished.”

He added that although they use football for examples, their message is about more than football. “It’s about life.”

elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com

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A student at Alberni Elementary competes in a relay race while members of the BC Lions football club cheer her on. ELENA RARDON PHOTO
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BC Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian poses for a photo with Alberni Elementary School teacher Jelena Dyer. ELENA RARDON PHOTO


Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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