Eric LeGrand To Speak At Holmdel Elementary School Friday

HOLMDEL, NJ — This Friday, March 8 motivational speaker Eric LeGrand will visit Holmdel’s Indian Hill Elementary School for a presentation on overcoming obstacles and giving back to the community.

Indian Hill principal Lisa Marino and school counselor Stephanie Jennings have been planning this event as a complement to the school’s character education initiatives this year. The Indian Hill Parent Liaison Group is helping to fund LeGrand's speaking engagement.

While playing football for Rutgers University in 2010, LeGrand suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. While the initial prognosis was grim, he continues to defy the odds as he works towards his goal of someday walking again. In the years following his injury, LeGrand earned his degree in Labor Relations from Rutgers University and became an author and motivational speaker. He now leads his own charity, “Team LeGrand,” which is dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis. In 2012, the prestigious Jimmy V Award for Perseverance was presented to LeGrand at the ESPY Awards.

School counselor Jennings, who is a Rutgers graduate herself, was a junior at Rutgers when LeGrand was injured. She witnessed firsthand how he maintained a positive outlook on his personal tragedy.

“I couldn’t believe how much of an impact one person could make on thousands of people,” she said. “Our school goal involving character education is to establish and foster a mindful school climate that supports tolerance, acceptance, compassion and empathy."

Having LeGrand speak seems like a natural fit for Indian Hill's goal, she said.

Jennings heard LeGrand speak at another school some time ago. The experience was a memorable one for students and teachers alike.

“The students were receptive of his message,” she said. "He really seemed to get through to so many. The students became reflective about how they could help others. You could tell that based on his talk they became significantly more tolerant of each other moving forward for the remainder of the school year."

“With his visit, we are hoping that our students will reflect on their role in our school and community,” said Indian Hills principal Lisa Marino.