Clearview Elementary kicked off bullying prevention month to the sounds of cheering as students welcomed the Harlem Ambassadors to their school Monday morning.

 

The Harlem Ambassadors are men and women who perform at schools around the country promoting the values of staying in school, staying off drugs, and not being a bully. 

 

Their high energy, interactive shows feature basketball tricks and skills, and encourage kids to believe in themselves with perseverance, hard work and positive attitudes to achieve their dreams.

 

The program was sponsored by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, which utilized funds for supporting youth drug prevention.

 

To the delight of students, the assembly began with the ambassadors bringing teachers, Principal Sheri Rutar and Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott up to perform a dance routine.

 

Throughout the rest of the show, the four ambassadors took turns sharing inspirational messages from their own lives, talking about obstacles they’ve overcome and choices they’ve made.

 

Ambassador Melvin Dolberry Jr. asked for two student volunteers to take the Harlem Ambassador Challenge. The students shot hoops until each had made three baskets. Dolberry spoke about the importance of coming out of your comfort zone, and presented each with a signed photo of the ambassadors.

 

Ambassador Yoshives Belizaire told the students a story about a baby eagle that fell out of his nest and as a result was adopted by chickens. When the eagle began to realize he was different, the chickens tried to talk him out of following his dreams. After the story Belizaire told the students to surround themselves with positive people and never give up.

 

Ambassador Alexander Wright Jr. chose 10 fifth-graders and asked each to share a negative word with the audience. He then gave them pieces of paper to crumple up and symbolically throw the words away in the trash.

 

Each speaker interacted with the entire student assembly, asking them to shout out messages such as “I am a star, I will shine brightly,” “respect everyone,” and “never give up.”

 

The assembly concluded with a dance party that got everyone on their feet and excitedly gathering around for group selfies with the ambassadors. 

 

All Harlem Ambassador team members have played college basketball and have college degrees in a variety of fields from sports management to business administration. 

 

Along with their “Stay in School, Stay off Drugs, Don’t Be a Bully” assemblies, they perform comedy basketball shows, skills clinics and family fun nights. 

 

Begun in 1997, the Harlem Ambassadors encourage kids to work hard in school, respect themselves and their peers, listen to adult authority figures, believe in themselves, set goals, not be a bully, and focus on their education.