Yarese Williams, a fifth-grade student at Burton Glen Charter Academy wants to be a football player when he grows up.
On Friday, May 25, NFL player Marcus Tucker gave Williams some advice on how to make his dreams come true.
“Be good in the classroom and on the football field,” he explained to Williams and a group of students standing by him waiting for autographs from the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver. “It was my dream to go to the NFL when I was your age, too.”
Judge Duncan Beagle, a Family Court judge in Genessee County for 25 years, enjoyed speaking to students about his job.
Other professionals included cosmetologists, nurses, dentists, police officers, EMT workers, musicians, artists, a barber, cooks, business owners, a veterinarian, and more.
Tucker, a native of Flint, signed hundreds of autographs, took selfies, and explained to students at the school’s annual career fair how to become a professional football player.
“You’ll need a high school diploma and almost all NFL players have some college education,” Tucker explained. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in criminal justice.
"I haven’t used my degree yet, but I know I will,” he told the middle school boys.
Tucker was one of 68 professionals with booths set up throughout the Burton Glen gym on Friday and in the hallways. Students asked about each career and how the professional achieved their success.
“The beauty of this type of event is seeing students who have the potential to become a judge and encouraging them in their field,” said Judge Beagle.
He spoke with one female student interested in becoming an attorney.
“It’s about planting a seed,” he said of speaking to the student. “I can tell from her personality that she has the passion to be an attorney. I could tell from talking with her that she has the drive and passion to be in the court room. I encouraged her to begin taking speech classes.”
“I want our students to be aware of the world of work and what will be needed to reach their goals,” said Kevin Johnson, a social worker at Burton Glen Charter Academy, who has organized the event for the past three years and developed a relationship with Marcus Tucker when he attended Grand Blanc High School. “I want our students to realize that education is the foundation they need to provide them great opportunities in the future.”
About Burton Glen Charter Academy
Burton Glen Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Burton, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
About Burton Glen Charter Academy
Burton Glen Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Burton, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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