Rockwood School District: Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee Visits With Lafayette Students, Staff For Black History Month

Press release from the Rockwood School District:

February 26, 2021

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee delivered a message of perseverance and positivity to Lafayette High students and staff members during a Zoom forum and question-and-answer s​ession Friday.Joyner-Kersee, who grew up in East St. Louis and still lives in the St. Louis area, talked about her experiences as a student and athlete from her youth all the way through her storied career as an internationally renowned long jumper and heptathlete.​"Never give up on yourself. Tell yourself that you are the best," Joyner-Kersee told the students and staff in virtual a​ttendance. "Being the best, for me, is not winning. It's knowing that I gave everything I had to give: on the field and in the classroom. Put yourself in a position where you can win, because you control that. You have the power to control your own destiny."Joyner-Kersee's visit with the Lafayette community was part of the school's Black History Month celebration and came about through the efforts of sophomore Claireece Cross. Last year, Cross also helped bring her uncle, St. Louis Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith, to Lafayette for Black History Month."Nothing is more important and special to me than when we hear from young people. You are our future," Lafayette Principal Dr. Karen Calcaterra said. "Claireece, you are so committed to learning, growing, sharing and staying strong in your message. I am so grateful for strong young women like yourself."Joyner-Kersee won two gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and another at the 1992 Barcelona games. She also attended UCLA on a basketball scholarship, ​was a four-year starter for the Bruins and is generally regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time.The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and the community center that bears her name in East St. Louis aim to help the youth in her community succeed in academics, athletics and leadership.Friday, she took questions from the Lafayette community and provided insight into topics such as overcoming adversity, competing internationally and the importance of mentorship. "It's very important to believe in yourself: You can turn a doubter into a believer if you believe," Joyner-Kersee said. "And surround yourself with the support of people who will help you bring your dream to reality."

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee delivered a message of perseverance and positivity to Lafayette High students and staff members during a Zoom forum and question-and-answer s​ession Friday.Joyner-Kersee, who grew up in East St. Louis and still lives in the St. Louis area, talked about her experiences as a student and athlete from her youth all the way through her storied career as an internationally renowned long jumper and heptathlete.​"Never give up on yourself. Tell yourself that you are the best," Joyner-Kersee told the students and staff in virtual a​ttendance. "Being the best, for me, is not winning. It's knowing that I gave everything I had to give: on the field and in the classroom. Put yourself in a position where you can win, because you control that. You have the power to control your own destiny."Joyner-Kersee's visit with the Lafayette community was part of the school's Black History Month celebration and came about through the efforts of sophomore Claireece Cross. Last year, Cross also helped bring her uncle, St. Louis Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith, to Lafayette for Black History Month."Nothing is more important and special to me than when we hear from young people. You are our future," Lafayette Principal Dr. Karen Calcaterra said. "Claireece, you are so committed to learning, growing, sharing and staying strong in your message. I am so grateful for strong young women like yourself."Joyner-Kersee won two gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and another at the 1992 Barcelona games. She also attended UCLA on a basketball scholarship, ​was a four-year starter for the Bruins and is generally regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time.The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and the community center that bears her name in East St. Louis aim to help the youth in her community succeed in academics, athletics and leadership.Friday, she took questions from the Lafayette community and provided insight into topics such as overcoming adversity, competing internationally and the importance of mentorship. "It's very important to believe in yourself: You can turn a doubter into a believer if you believe," Joyner-Kersee said. "And surround yourself with the support of people who will help you bring your dream to reality."

This press release was produced by the Rockwood School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.