Jeremy Bates spread hope and advice to students around the county earlier this week.
The “Hope Dealer” as he is known spoke to students at East Marion High School on Tuesday and visited Columbia Academy and West Marion High School on Wednesday. Bates, from Arroyo Grande, Calif., is part of Tru Hope, “a team full of dreamers; a collection of friends who have become the best in the world at the individual craft.”
Bates’ message was simple, yet powerful as he used music and humor to encourage students to make good decisions in life. From drugs and alcohol to friend choices and texting and driving, Bates mentioned a variety of topics and encouraged students to be themselves and think for themselves.
“Life is about being ready,” Bates said as he used a simple game of “Simon Says” to teach life lessons and demonstrate peer pressure. “You have to have integrity here. You have to do the right thing when no one is watching. Integrity is important in life and in this game.”
Bates, who grew up determined to overcome obstacles in his life, such as family drug abuse, reached out to the students during his hour-long presentation at each school.
“Life is about second chances,” he said. “If you ever get a second chance, please do something a little differently than you did the first time. Those second chances are not unlimited. Your success in life is not determined by other peoples’ failure. Your success is determined by your ability to block out things and keep focused on things that matter in life and keeping you eye on the things you want the most.”
Bates spoke about having courage to do the right thing, even in difficult situations or where peer pressure is involved.
Bates said having a purpose and goals was a key to making good choices, whether it be choices in school or at a party, involving alcohol or drugs.
“Our lives are determined by the way we see ourselves,” he said. “Are we hope-filled or hopeless? We feel all of the humanness of life and we start to feel all of the pressure. Some people want to numb the pressure or the pain. Life doesn’t get any easier. It’s important to remember what you do. Even if you do make a mistake, take a step back. The struggle is real, but there is goodness in the struggle.”
The program was hosted by the Junior Auxiliary of Columbia and sponsored by Southwest Distributors.
Pictured Above: Jeremy Bates speaks to students at Columbia Academy Wednesday. Bates shared advice and offered hope to area teens in his presentation. | Photos by Mark Rogers
