Acclaimed Speaker Visits Nazareth Academy

LA GRANGE PARK, IL — Acclaimed speaker Chris Herren will address Nazareth students on Jan. 22 with his presentation, "The First Day." The school said Herren was an extraordinary basketball player, and a star in his native Fall River, Massachusetts, before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA – including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics – and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction.

Herren has now been sober since Aug. 1, 2008, and he shares his story with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of others, the school said. Herren will share experiences that have impacted his life as a teenager, athlete and speaker, making the audience to rethink how we look at the disease of addiction, from the last day to the first. He will touch on such topics as drinking, smoking marijuana and vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. To conclude the event, he will field questions from the audience.

"We are thrilled to welcome Chris Herren to our school community since we feel that his
message fits well with our overall efforts in promoting excellent health and wellness among our
student body,” Principal Therese Hawkins said in a release. “It is our hope that in hearing Chris' message, our students will more clearly understand the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of making positive life choices for their health and happiness. We want students to feel empowered to stand up for those choices."

Image via Nazareth Academy.