GEAR UP students celebrate GEAR UP Week with Arel Moodie

GEAR UP students celebrate GEAR UP Week with Arel Moodie In celebration of National GEAR UP Week, national best-selling author and motivational speaker Arel Moodie recently spoke to over 1500 GEAR UP students during a virtual workshop.   Moodie discussed with the sophomores and juniors from EOSC’s GEAR UP partner schools about being the very best they can be. He challenged each student to strive for greatness and to never give up on their dreams. The event also encouraged students to ask questions and build confidence in themselves. He encouraged all students to apply for Oklahoma’s Promise as a way to pay for college. Moodie stated, “All students have the ability to be successful if they put the work into reaching their goals.” At the end of the workshop, students had the opportunity to leave feedback on what they took away from the event. “The idea that stood out to me was about perspective. I can succeed if I look at things differently and more positive,” said Howe student Jamie Cauthen “Presentation was great! The video on space and the talks over perspective context stuck with me and how being smart doesn’t matter because the effort is how you do things bigger in life. That really inspires me to try my hardest in school,” said Clayton student Jamie Oldham.   Eastern is in its fourth year of the $17 million federal GEAR UP grant, and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years. GEAR UP is a federal initiative to increase the number of low-income students who enter and successfully transition into postsecondary education.   Participating schools were: Antlers, Atoka, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Coalgate, Crowder, Eufaula, Howe, Indianola, Keota, LeFlore, McAlester, McCurtain, Moyers, Panama, Pittsburg, Poteau, Quinton, Savanna, Spiro, Stringtown, Wilburton and Wister. Below are a few pictures from the virtual workshop.

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